The Things They Carried: Lt. Jim Cross

They carried their reputations. They carried the soldier’s greatest fear, which was the fear of blushing. Men killed, and died, because they were embarrassed not to. It was what had brought them to the war in the first place, nothing positive, no dreams of glory and dishonor, just to avoid the blush of dishonor (O’Brien P. 369).

The things we carry may define the type of person we are in a broad but effective sense. For example, a construction worker might carry a hammer, a mailman some mail , and a police officer would carry those beautiful pieces of paper we call tickets. In carrying these items, each person may experience a different type of day in the framework of their lives. A mailman might get chased by a dog, while a cop may be chasing the “dog”. Each item may dictate our particular interest in objects and gives insight into the psychology of an individual. This was done in 1946 by a man named Tim O’ Brien. His novel titled “The Things They Carried”, first appeared as an excerpt in Esquire Magazine and told the story of the men in war with the things they carried. In the pages of this excerpt, one is able to see an epiphany performed by the soldiers. This epiphany relates to the items they had carried around during their missions and is geared especially towards the leading character, Lt. Jimmy Cross, of the excerpt. A coming of age is derived from this individual, which also sheds light on the psychological atmosphere of the men serving the Vietnam War.

“The Things They Carry”, is narrated through the consciousness of Lt. Jimmy Cross and his reaction to a number of factors. These factors include the conditions and situations the war brings along. It switches off into other character’s conscience providing this observa...

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... learn? There are many messages in the context of the story. According to the information stated, the “things” they all carried were each other and the dream of hope. A paradise amongst the horrors of the Vietnam War. Each object carried, emotional and physical, was the longing to be in a different situation than the one presenting itself. This longing had driven the soldiers to experience and cope with the impossible. A simple observation of items each soldier carried provided a map of their minds. A map that maybe would’ve been useful in American History.

They carried the land itself- Vietnam, the place, the soil- a powdery orange- red dust that covered their boots and fatigues and faces” (364) .

Works Cited

1. O’ Brien, Tim. The Seagull Reader: Stories. Joseph Kelly. 2nd Edition. “The Things They Carried”. New York. W.W.Norton. 2008. 521 pg. Print.