The Things They Carried

Summary:
In Tim O'Brien's plethora of stories, the first story The Things They Carried is the one that sets the scene for the following stories. The story starts out introducing Lieutenant Jimmy Cross and how he carried many things of his love Martha, a woman he met in his college in New Jersey. He carried things such as, letters, photographs of her, and her good-luck pebble in his mouth. He wasn't the only one who carried items with them, so did Henry Dobbins, Ted Lavender, Kiowa, and Rat Kiley. Henry Dobbins carried rations and his girlfriends pantyhose around his neck. Ted Lavender carried marijuana and tranquilizers because he was always so nervous and he needed something to calm him down. Kiowa was the religious one and he carried an illustrated New Testament that was given to him by his father. Lastly, Rat Kiley was the medic so he carried morphine, malaria tablets, and extra needed supplies. Each of the men carried items that were either necessary or had sentimental value that reminded them of their life back home.

Response:
Reading this story and finding out what each men brought interested me. I would never think about what people brought when they were out in war grounds besides their artillery. I could see why they carry the stuff that they do, because I am sure they miss their life back home. Most importantly, I am sure they miss the people in their life back home. There is not much that they can do, but keep items that remind them of their loved ones, and some as a good-luck charm like Lieutenant Cross. For some, they connect with their loved ones vicariously through those specific items, just like how Henry Dobbins put his girlfriends pantyhose around his neck. I admire their sentimental connection to their items, but some carry things to get them through the day like Ted Lavender and his marijuana.

"As a Result"

Summary:
This week we had to read Part III of They Say I Say and in chapter 8 they discussed connecting the parts. In most cases, we all type our essays listening to the little voice in our head talking and transferring it onto our essay and it may make sense to us, but no to the reader. When we do not implement words that connect two sentences it prevents the reader from understanding what the point of your sentence was. Doing so, it would make the reader have to go back and reread the sentence they just previously read. To prevent that, it is our job as the writer to make it easier on the reader by using connecting words/phrases. There are different categories for connecting words/phrases such as: addition, example, elaboration, comparison, contrast, cause and effect, concession, and conclusion. Making these slight connections results in a much more elaborate and fluid essay.

Response:
As I was reading this chapter, it opened my eyes to see that I do not connect my sentences often because I type what the little voice in my head says. In most cases, I just think of a concept and let my mind lead the way, but one thing I tend to forget is that what I am thinking and saying might not connect in the readers head like it does for me. Now being well informed, it allows me to take a step back and edit parts of my essay to further elaborate so that the reader will understand my point. It almost comes natural to us to listen to that voice, because it is easier to write with that kind of strategy, but since we are writing to a audience it made me realize that I need to gather my essay together in a way that any reader will fully comprehend.