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The Things They Carried

The Things They Carried. By: Tim O’Brien. The Author. Tim O’Brien was born in Austin Minnesota. Education : Macalister College and Harvard University. ‘The Things They Carried’ first appeared in Esquire . Drafted into Vietnam, ranked as a sergeant . He received the Purple Heart.

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The Things They Carried

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  1. The Things They Carried By: Tim O’Brien

  2. The Author Tim O’Brien was born in Austin Minnesota Education : Macalister College and Harvard University ‘The Things They Carried’ first appeared in Esquire Drafted into Vietnam, ranked as a sergeant He received the Purple Heart

  3. Background on Vietnam All the wrong people remember Vietnam. I think all the people who remember it should forget it, and all the people who forgot it should remember it. ~Michael Herr, 1989 Vietnam went from 1955-1975 2.5 million people were killed (on both sides) US Army Infantrymen KIA in Vietnam - 20,460

  4. Understanding ‘The Things They Carried’ Characters- Jimmy Cross- First Lieutenant: carries Martha’s photos and letters, compass, maps, code books, binoculars, strobe light, .45 caliber pistol Henry Dobbins- carries the M-60, extra rations, extra ammunition, panty hose Dave Jensen- Carries hygiene products, rabbit’s foot Ted Lavender- Carries drugs, thirty four rounds of ammunition Mitchell Sanders- RTO: carries condoms, PRC-25 radio Norman Bowker- Carries a diary, thumb Rat Kiley- Medic: carries a diary, morphine, M&M’s, Comic books, Malaria tablets, surgical tape, brandy Kiowa- Carries a New Testament Bible, grandfather’s hatchet Lee Strunk- Carries a sling shot, tanning lotion Jimmy Cross- his men’s lives, blame for Ted Lavender’s death, love for Martha Ted Lavender- Fear Kiowa- his grandmothers distrust of white men

  5. The Things They All Carried Disease, Vietnam, Ammunition, ponchos, food, guns, bombs, USO stationary, radios, bug spray, etc……. The weight of memory, their lives, fear, remorse, guilt, faith, longing, shame, grief, terror, love ‘They would never be at a lost for things to carry…..’

  6. Striking Scenes…. Favorite scene… What are your thoughts on the characters? Likes, dislikes….. Class Input- What do You Think? Why are so many states mentioned in this story? Questions? Comments…

  7. Themes • Out of touch of Reality • Need for Home • Loss of Innocence • Desensitization

  8. Class Input- What do You Think?

  9. The Heroic Quest Hero- Jimmy Cross Ordinary World- Back at home Pining over Martha Call to Adventure- At 22 being in charge of other’s lives Trials-Ted Lavender's death Climax- Burns the letters, pictures and discards pebble Character Transformation- ‘He was realistic about it.’

  10. The Thin Red Line • Scene Set-Up: • Character’s name is Bell • Married • He is scouting this ledge for the enemy

  11. Similarities in the story to the film? Class Input- What do You Think? Why was this clip shown?

  12. Related Works • Short Stories • Heart of Darkness- Conrad • Portions • More Lies • Haunting Olivia • Music Rants • Novels • The Sorrow Of War- Bao Ninh • Catch-22 • Films • Apocalypse Now • Platoon • We Were Soldiers

  13. The Wrap Up • Common Themes • Reality • Women/Innoence • Guilt/Emotional Transformation

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