Week 6: Alejandra Garcia 

“The Things They Carried” by Tim O’Brien is an interesting look into the lives of soldiers during the Vietnamese War. There is initially a focus on First Lieutenant Jimmy Cross and his infatuation with a young woman back home, but then the short story transitions between his internal conflicts and the larger group of soldiers. Lists of supplies and a focus on their weight characterize the group of soldiers. As the story progresses there is a repetition in the structure of these list paragraphs, however the items become more personal to the soldiers. Additionally, more of Ted Lavender’s death is revealed. The story is retelling scenes in greater detail, and slowly building up. The weight of the struggles and emotions of the soldier becomes a greater weight for the reader to carry.