Analysis Of What They Wore By Tim O Brien

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In What They Wore, Tim O'Brien tells us of Vietnam, Jimmy Cross, Norman Bowker, Rat Kiley, Ted Lavender, Henry Dobbins, Kiowa and the other men of the Alpha Company. He tells us their story without pretense and with an eye for detail. In the story, for example, he does not directly describe the fear of the soldiers, but the effort of marching and towing. In general the story itself does not give us much insight in to each individuals fears and thoughts at first glance, yet through the description of what each individual carries with them, we learn what hides behind their brave war faces. We get to enter the stories about these individuals, their very personal forms of fear, their summoning rituals and friendships, their courage and their cruelty, …show more content…

Carries a bible which he also uses as a pillow, moccasins for good luck. In a way his faith is the emotional compass for everyone around him, he tries to provide comfort to others. Through him his best friend O’Brien learns to open up emotionally, to have faith in himself and others, and ultimately becomes a writer. Ted Lavender: Carries a supply of drugs, that are supposed to calm him. He also carries extra bullets. He is shot in the head when taking a pee. Is the character that is most afraid of the soldiers they are fighting, and constantly scared. He was the guy most scared, the man who tried to be the most prepared, yet he was the first to die. Lieutenant Jimmy Cross: Carries with him pictures and letters of Martha (the woman he is in love with). She is an English major, and her letters are full of poems. While Martha does not reciprocate his love, he reads her letter every night with such care. Marthe and her tokens he carries is the hope the hope he carries with him, its what gives him strength, and while he knows she does not love him, it still gives him something to look forward to, being able to see her again. It is this love that ultimately turns in to guilt, he feels that he was so focused on himself, his dreams for the future, that he was not present enough, was not able to hinder the death of his

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