“The Things They Carried “simply emphasize that what the person may carry depends on the personality of the person.May it be for his necessity or passion he may carry the weight voluntarily or mandatory.Literally, the things the soldiers carried are, may be tangible or intangible.Tangible things such as P- 38 can openers, pocket knives,heat tabs, dog tags, mosquito repellent,wrist watches, chewing gum, candy,cigarettes,salt tablets, packets of Kool Aid,lighters,matches, sewing kits,Military payment certificates, C rations and two or three canteens of water.Individual has its own necessity such as Dave Jensen, who practiced field hygiene, carried a toothbrush,dental floss,and several hotel-size …show more content…
It causes guilt on his part because of Ted lavender’s death.Guilt is an additional thing to carry. Ted Lavender As a soldier assigned to war, they have to leave all their personal affair behind because of the call of duty.First Lieutenant Jimmy Cross was intimidated by his love that was not reciprocated by Martha which cause his negligence to his job and killed Ted Lavender on their quest against the veitnamese colony.Jimmy Cross simply concluded everything that could satisfy his desire for his feelings for martha thus imagining things that was not really true., who was scared, did not have the courage to do his task correctly.Fear is another thing to carry. Kiowa also carried his grandmother’s distrust for white man. Jimmy Cross rank as a lieutenant, is a big responsibility to handle during the war, to keep the rank in file and all men in right position.He have to gain respect from his comrade thus another thing to carry. These are the intangible things carried by the men in war. “The Things they carried” is just a simple illustration of war with a vivid description of the heavy ammunitions they carry and the task they have to comply for their country. O’brien put emphasis on Jimmy Cross unreciprocated love for Martha, how he yearns for Martha and the longing to be with her but because of his responsibility it is just a mere dream.Jimmy Cross carried these feelings and withdrawn from his task once of not concentrating during the battle.But in the end, after Ted Lavender’s death, he was able to realize that everything