What does each man carry in the things they carried?
The narrator, Tim O’Brien, describes the things all the men of the company carry. They are things in the most physical sense—mosquito repellent and marijuana, pocket knives and chewing gum. The things they carry depend on several factors, including the men’s priorities and their constitutions.
What did Tim O’Brien carry?
Twenty years ago, writer Tim O’Brien released a book of stories about young men and war, his war, Vietnam. Among many other things, he listed the weight of each soldier’s clothes, canteens and can openers. From the book: Every third or fourth man carried a claymore antipersonnel mine, 3.5 pounds with its firing device.
What did Curt Lemon carry in the things they carried?
A Tooth for a Tooth O’Brien, in fact, has his own Curt Lemon story in The Things They Carried. When it came time for Lemon to have his teeth examined, he fainted. For a man like Curt Lemon in a place like Vietnam, this was a deeply embarrassing episode.
What did Henry Dobbins carry in the things they carried?
Henry Dobbins carries the M60 machine gun, extra ammunition, canned peaches (which he’s very fond of) and his girlfriend’s pantyhose. Between the machine gun, the peaches and the pantyhose, he has everything he needs; tools, comfort food, and magic.
What does Norman Bowker symbolize?
Bowker connects “O’Brien” the soldier with O’Brien the writer. Bowker embodies the paradox between the need for emotional truth and the pain many feel in expressing it. The Bowker character is most essential to the novel as fodder about which O’Brien creates a fictional story.
What did Norman do to himself in 1978?
What did Norman do to himself in 1978? He hung himself.
Why does Norman Bowker feel guilty?
The source of this guilt is a horrible incident during Norman’s time in Vietnam, in which he fails to save the life of his comrade Kiowa. Norman tries to pull him out, but the smell of his surroundings overpowers him, and he lets Kiowa slide down beneath it.
Why did Norman Bowker’s letter hit O’Brien so hard?
Why does O’Brien include Norman’s letter in the story? The letter was incorporated into the story to further describe his character. “Norman Bowker’s letter hit me hard. The war was over, after all.” (O’Brien)It was to show his feeling, his way of thinking, and showing his inner personal being.2
What does Jimmy ask O’Brien to do when he writes his story?
What does Jimmy ask Tim to do when he writes his story? He urges O’Brien to paint him as a brave and good leader. 4. What does it tell us about Tim O’Brien, the narrator, that he reveals character traits of Cross’s that Cross would prefer to have remain unknown?
What does O’Brien promise Jimmy Cross that he won’t mention?
Cross thinks it over for a moment, then agrees to let O’Brien write the story, saying that maybe Martha will read it and come back to him. He makes O’Brien promise to depict him as a “good guy” who is “brave,” “handsome,” and “the best platoon leader ever.”
What does Azar’s reaction to the boy mean?
What do you suppose Azar’s reaction to the boy means? Azar gave the boy a chocolate candy bar. Azar pities the bar. The only reason the boy is alive is that the soldier ran out of ammo.
Why is Chapter 3 in The Things They Carried called spin?
This chapter is titled ‘Spin’ because O’Brien writes that ‘the war was like a Ping-Pong ball. You could put a fancy spin on it, you could make it dance.
What does the narrator say Jimmy has learned?
What has he learned about himself/ what has he lost or gained? Jimmy has changed because he realized that his men and keeping his men safe were more important than Martha. He will be different because he no longer has any distractions and keeps his mind focused.