illustration of the backside of a soldier in full military gear

The Things They Carried

by Tim O’Brien

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Themes: War and Love

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Readers might expect the story to delve into the conflict between war and peace. Yet, O'Brien's main theme in this narrative and his other works is the deep connection between war and love. For example, Lt. Cross feels that his affection for Martha hinders him from properly performing his responsibilities to his men. He literally believes that because he put love before duty, he is to blame for Ted Lavender's death. O'Brien implies that love is fundamentally tied to the experience of war. In a 1994 article for the New York Times Magazine, he explains: "Intimacy with death carries with it a corresponding new intimacy with life. Jokes are funnier, green is greener. You love the musty morning air. You love the miracle of your own enduring capacity for love."

O'Brien also claims that love played a significant role in his choice to serve in Vietnam. In the same article, he confesses: "I have done bad things for love, bad things to stay loved." Reflecting on his response to being drafted, he writes: "I thought about Canada. I thought about jail. But in the end, I could not bear the prospect of rejection: by my family, my country, my friends, my hometown. I would risk conscience and rectitude before risking the loss of love."

Expert Q&A

Explain the concept "It wasn't a war story. It was a love story" in "How to Tell a True War Story".

In "How to Tell a True War Story," the concept "It wasn't a war story. It was a love story" means that true war stories focus on deep human connections and the emotional experiences of soldiers, rather than just the violent events of war. These stories highlight friendships, sacrifices, and the profound mourning for lost comrades, capturing the essence of love amidst the horrors of conflict.

Does war experience change Rat Kiley in The Things They Carried?

Yes, war experience changes Rat Kiley in The Things They Carried. Initially carefree and naive, Rat's innocence is shattered following the deaths of his friends Curt Lemon and Ted Lavender. These traumatic events overwhelm him emotionally, leading to his mental decline. Rat's transformation from a cheerful medic to a desperate, broken man culminates in his self-inflicted injury to escape the war.

Why does Tim O'Brien believe war stories lack morality?

Tim O'Brien believes war stories lack morality because war itself is chaotic, random, and strips away virtue. In The Things They Carried, he explains that true war stories do not instruct or encourage virtue but instead convey the obscenity and evil of war. O'Brien emphasizes that war cannot be understood secondhand and that attempts to find moral lessons in war stories are misguided.

How does shame influence the war experience in The Things They Carried?

Shame significantly influences the war experience, motivating soldiers to join the war to avoid dishonor rather than seeking glory. It pressures them to conform to masculine ideals, as seen when Curt Lemon undergoes a painful dental procedure to prove his bravery. Shame also fosters silence about their fears, hindering emotional healing post-war. Characters like Lt. Cross and Norman Bowker struggle with unexpressed shame, impacting their leadership and mental health, illustrating shame's damaging force.

How does the final story from O'Brien's childhood relate to the Vietnam war stories, and why might he end his collection in this way?

O'Brien's purpose in ending the collection of stories this way is to emphasize that a story can be about many things, not just war. The final story shows readers a side of O'Brien and his life that they would not have uncovered if he had chosen another type of story to end his book with.

What reasons does the narrator give for opposing the Vietnam War?

The narrator opposes the Vietnam War primarily because he does not understand it. He questions why he should fight in a conflict he cannot comprehend, knowing little about key events and figures like the Gulf of Tonkin incident or Ho Chi Minh. Additionally, he feels he is "too good" for the war, indicating a sense of personal superiority. Ultimately, he goes to Vietnam not out of bravery but due to embarrassment at the thought of avoiding the draft.

How is the quote "In war there are no unwounded soldiers" related to "The Things They Carried"?

The quote "In war there are no unwounded soldiers" relates to Tim O'Brien's The Things They Carried by highlighting the physical and emotional burdens soldiers bear. In the novel, characters carry not only physical items like weapons but also emotional weights such as guilt and fear. These unseen wounds often manifest as PTSD, affecting soldiers' lives profoundly. Thus, the quote underscores the universal impact of war on soldiers, both visibly and invisibly.

What is the attitude of the men toward the enemy in "The Things They Carried"?

In "The Things They Carried," the soldiers' attitude toward the enemy is largely indifferent, focusing more on survival than hatred or animosity. The enemy is seen as an impediment to their goals of survival and returning home. While they must fight and sometimes kill, these actions lead to emotional consequences, such as guilt, as depicted in "The Man I Killed." The soldiers prioritize pleasing each other and their families over engaging with the enemy.

In "How to Tell a True War Story", how does war foster a love for brotherhood?

War fosters a love for brotherhood by heightening moral perceptions and desires for decency and justice amidst chaos. In "How to Tell a True War Story," the narrator illustrates how the closeness to death intensifies the appreciation of life and human connection. Acts like Rat Kiley writing to Curt Lemon's sister exemplify this brotherhood. War stories, even exaggerated, convey this deep bond and the quest for harmony and human accord.

In The Things They Carried, what was O'Brien's college view on war?

O'Brien, in "On the Rainy River," expresses his college view on the Vietnam War as deeply skeptical and questioning. After graduating, he was drafted to fight a war he considered wrong, characterized by uncertain reasons for bloodshed and a lack of consensus on its purpose. He questioned the necessity of American involvement in a distant conflict, reflecting a broader uncertainty and doubt shared by many of his generation.

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