1. “The Things They Carried” Hand grenadessmoke bombs Hand grenadessmoke bombs M-16 assault rifle (7.5 pounds, unloaded M-16 assault rifle (7.5 pounds, unloaded with 8.5 to 14 pounds of ammunition) M-16 maintenance gear: 1 pound M-16 maintenance gear: 1 pound Hatchet (7 pounds)flashlight (2 pounds) Hatchet (7 pounds)flashlight (2 pounds) Poncho (2 pounds)Steel helmet (5 pounds) Poncho (2 pounds)Steel helmet (5 pounds) Flak jacket (7 pounds)jungle boots (7 pounds) Flak jacket (7 pounds)jungle boots (7 pounds) M-60 (23 pounds, unloaded: 10-17 pounds of ammo) M-60 (23 pounds, unloaded: 10-17 pounds of ammo) PRC-25 radio (26 pounds)Medic gear: 20 pounds PRC-25 radio (26 pounds)Medic gear: 20 pounds M-79 grenade launcher: 6 pounds; 50 pounds of ammo M-79 grenade launcher: 6 pounds; 50 pounds of ammo

2. “The Things They Carried” C-rations: 2 lbs P-38 can openers C-rations: 2 lbs P-38 can openers Pocket knife: 1 lbHeat tabs Pocket knife: 1 lbHeat tabs WatchDog tags WatchDog tags Insect repellentGum/candy Insect repellentGum/candy Cigarettes/lighterssalt tablets Cigarettes/lighterssalt tablets Iodine tabletsKool-Aid packets Iodine tabletsKool-Aid packets Sterno/matchesSewing kits Sterno/matchesSewing kits 2 or 3 canteens of water 2 or 3 canteens of water Total: 15 to 20 pounds, depending on the man Total: 15 to 20 pounds, depending on the man

3. The Things They Carried The Things They (and we) Carry The metaphor of carrying gives weight to the idea that the things we carry — whether physical or emotional —enable us to navigate life’s inconsistencies.

4. The Things They Carried The notion that people carry heavy emotional burdens is a universal one: O’Brien switching between first-person narrative and third-person throughout the book reflects his belief that by telling his own story, he is telling the story of many. The notion that people carry heavy emotional burdens is a universal one: O’Brien switching between first-person narrative and third-person throughout the book reflects his belief that by telling his own story, he is telling the story of many.

5. The Things You Carry OK, so now we apply the metaphor to our lives – because as you have heard me say so many times, that’s who I am. It’s what I do. OK, so now we apply the metaphor to our lives – because as you have heard me say so many times, that’s who I am. It’s what I do. What are the things you carry? The material goods, the memories, the hopes, dreams, experiences, fears, interests, morals, convictions, burdens, stories -- everything that forms who you are. What are the things you carry? The material goods, the memories, the hopes, dreams, experiences, fears, interests, morals, convictions, burdens, stories -- everything that forms who you are.

6. The Things You Carry List as many as you can: then put them together in a free verse format (a poem that doesn’t rhyme): “I carry the burdens of a 21 st century high school student. I carry expectations that are impossible to achieve but honorable to strive for.” List as many as you can: then put them together in a free verse format (a poem that doesn’t rhyme): “I carry the burdens of a 21 st century high school student. I carry expectations that are impossible to achieve but honorable to strive for.” Don’t settle for the surface response. Go deep. Don’t settle for the surface response. Go deep. You know…depth? You know…depth? Yes, depth. Yes, depth. I like depth. I like depth. I like rolling in the depth. I like rolling in the depth. Knock, knock Knock, knock Who’s there? Who’s there? Depth Depth Must be typed! About a page to a page and a half should do it. Due Thursday. Want to hear a couple of samples?

7. The Things You Carry But wait. But wait. There’s more. There’s more. There’s always more. There’s always more. Pick one of the physical things you “carry” (parentheses because you may not carry it with you every day): Make it an item that has some deep emotional significance to you. Pick one of the physical things you “carry” (parentheses because you may not carry it with you every day): Make it an item that has some deep emotional significance to you. Bring it to class on Thursday. Bring it to class on Thursday. Show us. Talk about it. Show us. Talk about it. It’s grown-up show and tell. It’s grown-up show and tell.