1. The Things They Carried by Tim O’Brien Character Presentation

2. Characters are Defined by What They Carry…. Rank Specialty Necessity Mission Superstition Why the emphasis on what things weigh?

3. Examples of things characters carry: Rat Kiley: morphine, plasma, malaria tablets, surgical tape (comic books, M&Ms) Kiowa: Bible, hatchet, & moccasins Lt. Jimmy Cross: maps, binoculars, compass, code books,.45 pistol What else does Jimmy carry?

4. “They all carried ghosts” (9). Lt. Jimmie Cross: (Martha vs his Men): (8, 11)* Ted Lavender: (extra ammo, dope, tranquilizers): (6)* Norman Bowker: (pressure from dad to earn a medal): (34)*

5. Superstitions Jimmy Cross: Pebble from Martha Dave Jensen: Rabbit’s foot Henry Dobbins: Girlfriend’s stockings Kiowa: Bible Norman Bowker: Thumb from corpse

6. Attitudes about Death Use Harsh, Crude language: (Ted Lavender was “zapped while zipping”) (16). Make Jokes Kick or mutilate corpses Can’t show fear, sadness, or remorse Smoke Ted Lavender’s dope (19-20)* Appreciation for still being alive (Kiowa “enjoyed not being dead”) (17).

7. Jimmy Cross Begins Changing Feels extreme GUILT over Ted Lavender’s death. Burns Martha’s Letter & Pictures Realizes Martha’s True Feelings (23)* As a moral obligation to Ted Lavender, focuses on becoming a leader (24 )*