″The Things They Carried″ Tim O'Brien
Biography Born in Minnesota on October 1, 1946 Actually has a BA in Political Science Was drafted and sent to Vietnam in 1969 Attended Harvard and became a reporter
Dietrich Murphy
The Things They Carried Not the only work by O'Brien about Vietnam Northern Lights (1973) Going After Cacciato (1978) War Memoir: If I Die in a Combat Zone (1973) O'Brien purposefully named the main character Tim O'Brien in the novel; confuses fiction and non- fiction Interconnected collection of short stories
Reception of Work Novel re-released in 2010; 20 years after published Received several awards for both the short story and the novel –Nominated for a Pulitzer (1991) Resounding Critical Success –Insightful depiction of mental illness –Composite novel –Adds a lot to the Vietnam War genre
Literary Importance of the Work Unique form –O'Brien did not consciously choose form; happened naturally Fictional stories written to feel real Goes beyond war to look at life and the importance of the things that we find important to us.
Analysis of the Work Theme –Relationship of storytelling and truth –Role of memory –Masculinity vs. Femininity Language –Very crude at times but real –Helps add the the understanding of Vietnam
References "About Tim O'Brien." Tim O'Brien, Author. 25 Aug Web. 28 Jan Dietrich, Alicia. "Celebrating the Twentieth Anniversary of “The Things They Carried”." Web log post. Cultural Compass. The University of Texas at Austin, 27 Apr Web. 28 Jan Franklin, H. Bruce. "PLAUSIBILITY OF DENIAL: Tim O'Brien, My Lai, and America." The Progressive (1994). Rutgers-Newark: The State University of New Jersey. Web. 28 Jan Larson, Sonya. "Interview With Tim O' Brien." Beyond The Margins. 25 Mar Web. 28 Jan Murphy, Sherri. "The Things They Carried." Web log post. Matter of Fact. 30 May Web. 28 Jan "Rising Star Tim O'Brien." Texas State University. Texas State University-San Marcos. Web. 02 Feb "The Things They Carried." ENotes. ENotes.com. Web. 29 Jan