Setting In Tim O Brien's The Things They Carried

In Tim O’Brien’s story, The Things They Carried, the way the men idolize their possessions is directly related to the setting of the story. The men face a new and adverse environment when they are sent to Vietnam and carry many different sentimental objects in their packs. Lieutenant Cross holds himself responsible for the loss of one of his men and has his mind set to reform his team and not let the idea of a woman control his thought any longer. It is important to understand how much the setting plays a role in their daily lives. The men depended on their possessions for survival, to hope in a different world, and to learn to appreciate the little things in life. During the war the soldiers had little room left in their packs after their required supplies. If the men could gain an advantage several brought extra essentials. Soldiers in the war setting depended on their possessions to survive. “Henry Dobbins, who is a big man, carried extra rations... Dave Jensen carried a toothbrush, dental floss, and several hotel-sized bars of soap...Ted Lavender carried 34 rounds for the M-79 grenade launcher.”(O’Brien , 500-503) These things brought peace of mind to
Without their possessions, they wouldn’t have had hope in another life outside the war. “Almost everyone humped photographs.”(O’Brien , 501) The men saw that it was necessary to carry pictures of their loved ones. Hope was possibly the most important factor to this war time. The men needed to understand that they were fighting for a purpose. That purpose was to protect those back home, but most importantly, to ensure a reminder that they had something to return to back home. They needed to know that the were cared about and needed to fight to live and return. Lieutenant Cross carried the letters of Martha to keep his head away from the gore and let him know that there are better places for him when it’s all