The Things They Carried by Tim O'Brien

1. What can this book tell us about the effects of war on soldiers while they serve and when
they get home?
The book shows that the effects of war on soldiers can be very different while serving and when
they get home. A soldier said, "I used to be embarrassed because I was just a kid from Minnesota
who'd never done anything. That's why I joined the Army, I guess, to prove I was brave and
tough" (O'Brien 4). Some soldiers may be able to cope with the horrors of war while fighting, but
when they come home, they may have difficulty dealing with the memories of what they have
seen and done. "I wanted to die in a heroic and brave way and without pain. But there was no
way to die that was good. There was only dying and dying badly" (O'Brien 3). Other soldiers
may be unable to cope with the war while fighting and may suffer mental health problems such
as PTSD when they come home.
The book also shows that the effects of war can vary from person to person, and it's difficult to
deal with the aftermath of war. Some soldiers may be able to deal with the physical and mental
injuries they have sustained, while others may not. The soldiers stated, "We all carried ghosts.
The weight was unbearable" (O'Brien 9). Some soldiers may be able to find friends and family
who can help them deal with their experiences, while others may not.
2. What does this book tell us about the nature of war?

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It is clear that the author, Tim O'Brien, believes that war is a terrible, destructive force. The book
is full of stories about the death and violence that the soldiers experienced, and it is clear that
O'Brien believes that war is a waste of human life. "War was the source of all human evil"
(O'Brien 34). O'Brien also believes that war is a place where people can be turned into monsters.
The soldiers in the book all have PTSD, and many commit terrible acts of violence. "The thing
about a story is that you dream it as you're telling it, hoping that others might then dream along
with you, and in this way, memory and imagination and language combine to make spirits in the
head" (O'Brien 54). O'Brien seems to believe that the horrors of war can turn even the best
people into monsters. Overall, The Things They Carried is a very pessimistic book about the
nature of war. O'Brien believes that war is a terrible, destructive force that destroys the lives of
everyone involved. He states, "In the end, we were all damaged. And maybe we still are"
(O'Brien 229).
3. What roles do women play in this book? What might each female character represent?
The women in The Things They Carried play a variety of roles. Some, like Martha, are love
interests that the soldiers write to and think about while in combat. Others, like Mary Ann, are
nurses who care for the soldiers when they are wounded. Some women, like Kiowa's mother, are
not even mentioned by name but are still important to the soldiers' lives. While the women may
not be directly involved in the fighting, they are all important to the soldiers' lives and
experiences.
Each female character represents a different aspect of the war experience for the soldiers. Martha
is a reminder of the life they are fighting for, "When he was with Martha, he forgot all the bad
things that had happened to him" (O'Brien 22). Mary Ann is a symbol of hope and healing. "She
[Mary Ann] was the one who made them feel human again, who eased their minds and helped

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them forget" (O'Brien, 54). And Kiowa's mother is a reminder of the home and family the
soldiers are fighting to protect. "Kiowa's mother had once told him that the world was a good
place, despite all its sorrows and troubles" (O'Brien 84).
4. Why is it hard to tell a "true war story"? What makes this book a valuable historical
teaching tool?
The Things They Carried is a valuable historical teaching tool because it demonstrates the
difficulties of telling a true war story. War is a chaotic and confusing experience, and soldiers
often have trouble processing and communicating their experiences to others. This is especially
true for Vietnam veterans, who often felt their stories were misunderstood or dismissed by the
American public. The Things They Carried captures war&#3

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