My Son The Marine Poem Analysis

“My Son the Marine?” was written by John and Frank Schaeffer in 2002. This story was written in the 1st person. It focuses on the struggle a father is having about his son joining the military. “Separating” was written by John Updike in 1972 and is written in the 3rd person. It is about a family going through a divorce and focuses on the emotional toll towards the children during the separation. “Those Winter Sundays” was written in 1966 by Robert Hayden. Written in the 1st person, the focus of this poem is to show the regret of a young boy who never showed the appreciation that his father deserved. All of these stories appeal to “The things They Carry” because of the emotional aspect. In all these stories there are signs of guilt, confusion, and regret. “But he did not fail. Three months after John had left us, Genie and I went down to Parris Island for his graduation” (Schaeffer 600). John’s father did not think his son was capable of being a Marine nor did he anticipate him graduating. After finding out that he was wrong, there was a sense of shock and guilt. It seemed as though he felt bad for thinking his son couldn’t accomplish the

“My Son the Marine?” appeals to the feeling of guilt with Frank thinking his son isn’t capable of being a Marine and Lieutenant Cross carries the guilt of letting his comrade die. In Updike’s “Separating” there is the similarity of confusion with Dickie and Lieutenant Cross. Neither of them know what to do with the emotions flowing within themselves. Dickie cannot comprehend the divorce of his parents while Lieutenant Cross is lost for words when it comes to Martha. Lastly, “Those Winter Sundays” relates to the feeling of regret. Both Robert and Lieutenant Cross think “What should’ve I done?” Cross thinks that he could’ve prevented Lavender’s death and Hayden wishes that he could go back and give his father the thanks he