We turn our attention to Tim O’Brien’s “The Things They Carried.”
In a 200-word post please answer two of the following questions. Be sure to include the corresponding number of the question before your response.
1. What specific psychological and emotional “things” do the soldiers carry into battle? Did any of these surprise you? Explain.
2. In three of four sentences, how would you describe the experience of war, using this story as a basis?
3. What are some significant differences, if any, among the soldiers under Jimmy Cross’s command?
4. What is your attitude toward Jimmy Cross’s apparent obsession with Martha?
5. Jimmy Cross seems to feel guilty about Ted Lavender’s death. To what extent does his feeling seem rational? Should he feel guilty, in your view? Why, or why not? In the final two paragraphs, he makes a number of resolutions. Which, if any, do you think that he is capable of keeping?