The Things They Carried Tim O’Brien

Author Background Opposed the Vietnam War; considered going to Canada Service: February 1969 - March 1970 Quang Ngai Province eventually wounded and returned home

Novel Background Published 1990 sequence of stories that take place during and after Vietnam War Neither fact nor fiction in its entirety Is fact or fiction more important? Neither - the EMOTION of the work is most important Narration Tim O’Brien (narrator but not necessarily the author) O’Brien inserts himself into his stories for 2 reasons: to anchor his narratives to a larger world (represents not just himself - he becomes a representative for other Vietnam vets who have similar stories to tell) he is unable to escape the memories of his war experience (catharsis) Reliability of narrator is challenged throughout the novel theme of chaos leads to the tone of uncertainty - mimics feeling of the generation

How were Vietnam vets treated when they returned home? How do they feel about their service in the war? How do their experiences differ from that of other war veterans, such as WWII vets? How are the soldiers depicted? Why? Describe the process of the examination. What is being conveyed by the newly enlisted soldiers carrying Lady Liberty?

Themes Physical and emotional burdens Fear of shame and guilt as a motivator Patriotism, masculinity, etc. The subjugation of truth to storytelling Act of storytelling becomes more important than being completely truthful Storytelling becomes an expression of memory and a catharsis of the past Resolution

Motifs Storytelling Social obligation Ambiguous morality Loneliness and isolation

Symbols Dead young Vietnamese soldier Humanity’s guilt over horrific actions in wartime Kathleen the gap in communication between one who tells a story and one who receives a story Linda represents elements of the past that can be brought back through imagination and storytelling