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.