1. The Things They Carried ~ Tim O’Brien
Symbolism:
Dead Vietnamese Soldier: guilt inside the basic nature of mankind…
The Young Water Buffalo: end of innocence
Linda: looking at the past; maintaining faith/sanity through storytelling…

2. Major Themes Burdens (the “things” we carry…)
Emotional
Physical
The Ultimate Motivator: Shame
What compels each of us to avoid shame?
Subjectivity of Truth
Is there truly any objectivity?

3. Motifs: recurrent literary structures
Loneliness and Isolation
How does this affect the characters? You?
Storytelling
Is “everything” really just another story?
Situational Morality
How do we get to the point of “it depends?”

4. What is the connection between storytelling and dreams?
From “Notes” pp :
“Telling stories seemed a natural, inevitable process, like clearing the throat. Partly catharsis, partly communication, it was a way of grabbing people by the shirt and explaining exactly what had happened to me.
…By telling stories, you objectify your own experience. You separate it from yourself. You pin down certain truths. You make up others…”
What is the connection between
storytelling and dreams?

5. Paired Discussion What is a “Burden?”
Consider: How do physical burdens differ from emotional ones?
How do we acquire burdens?
How do we escape our burdens?