American Literature Survey: O'Brien's 'The Things They Carried'

This report provides an in-depth analysis of Tim O'Brien's "The Things They Carried," focusing on its structure, literary devices, and key themes. It begins with an introduction that outlines the essay's purpose, which is to explore the novel's major discussions and topics. The report then examines two scholarly articles that offer critical perspectives on the text. The first article discusses the physical and psychological burdens carried by the soldiers, highlighting the emotional and literal weights they bear. The second article explores the themes of shame, fear, and the moral quandaries faced by the soldiers during the Vietnam War. The report concludes by emphasizing the ugliness of war as a central element of the story and the importance of relating to the experiences rather than focusing on false emotions. The report synthesizes the key arguments from the articles and applies them to the novel, offering a comprehensive understanding of O'Brien's work and its significance in American literature. The report also references the assignment brief, which calls for an annotated bibliography of scholarly articles related to the novel.

Running head: AMERICAN LITERATURE SUVERY
AMERICAN LITERATURE SUVERY
Name of the Student
Name of the University
Author Note

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Introduction
This essay is written in regards to Tim O’Brien’s “The Things They Carried”. The
following discussion explains the factors related to the structure and the devices related to
develop a major discussions and topics involved. The study explains two scholar articles that
highlight the major parts of the literature.
Silbergleid, Robin. “Making Things Present: Tim O'Brien's Autobiographical
Metafiction.” Contemporary Literature, vol. 50, no. 1, 2009, pp. 129–155. JSTOR.
According to Silbergleid (2009), he explains what the men of the company can carry that
includes mosquito repellent, marijuana, pocketknives and chewing gum. Depending on many
factors, the author explains the priorities and the constitutions of men. Due to the machine
gunner, Dobbins carry extra rations due to the fact he is superstitious and it is due to the same
reason he carries the pantyhose of his lover around his shoulders. Another characters named Ted
Lavender uses marijuana and tranquilizers to subside himself. Kiowa is another person who
carries the New Testament with him as he is religious. According to the author, the things that
are carried by men are universal, that is as a compress that is gives fatal injuries. Some wear a 2-
pound weight poncho that is used as a raincoat or even a tent. There are men or low ranked
soldiers who carry guns with them and even grenade launchers. The author explains the fact that
men carry the fugitive weight of memory and the literal weight of a different person. The
character of Lieutenant Jimmy Cross weighs the map and the total responsibility of his fellow
men. Even it is identified through the medic, Rat Kiley who also carries medical supplies with
him. There are psychological burdens that are used as burdens for men to carry during war that

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would define them. By the method of carrying, the Author has also explained the guilt, grief,
confusion and other stories that is in the collection about the attempts to terms with the past
experiences. The author explains the fact that the characters are figurative and literal. All the
characters carry either physical or mental loads. There are also emotional loads that involve
grief, terror, the sense of longing and love.
Vernon, Alex: Salvation, Storytelling, and Pilgrimage in Tim O'Brien's The Things
They Carried Mosaic: a journal for the interdisciplinary study of literature (Univ. of
Manitoba, Winnipeg) (36:4) Dec 2003, 171-188.
According to Vernon (2003), the personal experiences of O’Brian have shown a state of
fear when being shamed before a person in powerful motivating factor in war. One of this other
story, “On the Rainy River” also highlights the moral quandary when receiving the drafted
notice. As was a medium of violence, he does not have any part in the war but at the same time
does not want to be remembered as a coward. The concept of shame is not only the motivational
factor here but also the reluctant reason men go to war. The experience is the emblematic
symbol of conflict that is explored in The Things They Carried. This is also misguided
information towards a group of people who are relevant toward a course of action. The author
explains the concerns related to social acceptance that appears to be in abstract to an
unimportant preoccupation provided by immediacy of death and the requirements of the group
during the war. This had leads the characters in interaction in different behaviors and actions in
according to the youth of the soldiers combined to create ways of psychological dangers to
intensify the risks of fighting. This is more so in the case of Jimmy Cross who have gone

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alongside with his friends to fight in the war. The stress of war and the strangeness of the
country of Vietnam and the soldiers combine together create a psychological problem that
increases the risks. According to the authors, the different storyteller in the text that includes Rat
Kiley and Mitchell Sanders lays out ugly truth that does not require facts or long explanations.
Statements that do not establish the events recounted have already taken place. This indicate the
stylistic content and the story that experiences that have occurred. By indicating the thematic
content and story involved, the true experience indicate the stylistic and the thematic content of
the story actually occurred. This also indicate that the soldiers in the war who had terrible
experience throughout their time of involvement.
Conclusion
Therefore from the above discussion it can be concluded that the ugliness of the war is
the key factor that declares the truest part of the story. This does not contain any moral
underscore, the idea is to relate to the experiences, and not the false emotions attached to it.