Tuesday, May 27, 2008
The Things They Carried, Question 1
The first story in the book refers to the title of the collection. In a two part response, consider the following: first, what are the multiple meanings of "carry" used here, and how does each meaning apply to the soldiers; second, what do you "carry" in the same way that the soldiers "carried" things.
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Carry has the meaning of what the soldiers held physically or emotionally. It was either the things they carried with them in battle or what they thought about, and that they couldn’t get off of their mind. For the soldiers what they had to carry ranged from the weapons, the radios, or the dead bodies they carried to the chopper. They brought these things everywhere. The soldiers had the weapons that they carried physically, but also they carried things mentally which they thought was necessary. The LT carried Martha, and during battle he carried her mentally, dreaming about a love that didn’t go both ways, and it sometimes distracted him, but he also carried physically in the form of a photograph. There was the soldier who carried his girlfriend’s pantyhose because he thought that would protect him from death even after she dumped him. They carried things thought to protect them.
The things I carry mentally are the teachings of my mother, whenever I think to do something, I think back to what she would say or what she has taught me. Also being carried are the thoughts of what people think of the actions I have displayed, whether it really makes a difference or not. I carry the experiences from myself and other people that have taught me what to do and what not to do in situations. Physically I always carry my inhaler. It is my personal medic, which has brought me to a healthy state. I also carry my jewelry. Like Kiowa, who was given his bible by his father, my jewelry has been given to me by family members and when worn I always remember them, but when I don’t have them on there is a feeling of separation.
The meaning of carry for the soldiers was called 'humping'. They would hump there necessities. The necessities they had to carry were P-83 can openers, pocket knives, heat tabs wristwatches, dog tags, mosquito repellent, matches, canteens, one large compress bandage, sewing kits, military payment certificates, steel helmets, fatigue jackets, trousers, and a poncho. Other things were carried by rank, such as maps, a compass, code books, binoculars, strobe light, a pistol, a PRC-25 radio, morphine, plasma and malaria tablets, surgical tape, and an assortment of guns and maintenance gear. Although they carried necessities they also carried valuables. Each soldier had their own valuables they carried. Depending on the soldier they carried different things, they carried, pictures or letters, a toothbrush, dental floss, tranquilizers, dope, diaries, comic books, bibles, pantyhose, a lucky rock, a slingshot, brass knuckles, a hatchet. They were carried by choice as reminders of home or people they loved, but some of the things were carried for protection or pleasure. The soldiers also carried things emotionally. They carried there thoughts of home, and thoughts of war that were stuck in there heads, there memories of fallen friends, fear of what could happen to them. Along with there emotions which were carried in the head they carried there survival skills they learned, probably the most important thing they know. They brought all of there things with them every where they went unless they decided to leave something behind. Things that I carry with me all the time are my cell phone and memories or things I have learned. I carry the things I learned so that I make as little mistakes as possible. The things I have learned come from my parents, brothers, other family members and teachers, who have all given me something important to remember. I have my cell phone with me at all times because I think it is important to keep in touch with people. I also carry my phone with me because it is a safety net, because I know I can call my mom about anything, and she told me to always call if I needed to and that’s why I always have my phone with me, it is also one of the things that I have learned from my mom about safety.
When O'Brien describes what the soldiers carry throughout the war, he is not only referring to the items that they are carrying physically, but also to the emotions that they are carrying with them. A few examples of the emotions that the soldiers carry throughout the book are: guilt, love, hope, blame, sorrow, courage, longing and loneliness. The soldiers all carry courage, for this is a necessity to fight in war. The LT carries blame, because when a fellow soldier dies, he believes that it is his fault. He also carries his love for Martha, and the hope that she will someday see how much he truly desires her love. Many times throughout the book, the feeling of a taboo on these emotions is present, because the soldiers sometimes hesitate to talk about how they feel, and end up holding their emotions inside. This is bad for them because then the load of what they are carrying grows larger, and it becomes harder to hold these emotions inside, and this becomes a distraction from the war that is surrounding them. Through the image that O'Brien paints in the beginning of the book by listing what they soldiers are physically carrying, at first it seems as if what they are physically carrying would be harder to carry than their emotional baggage. On page 25, the LT mentions that he will tell the soldiers to "no longer abandon equipment along the route of the march." This shows how easily the soldiers have been letting go of what they are carrying physically, but they cannot let go of what they are carrying emotionally.
Mentally, I carry the memories of the lessons that I have learned throughout my life, and allow them to help me in my decisions. Also, being an empathetic person, I carry the pain and sorrow of those that I love, hoping to lighten their load, by taking it on myself. Physically, I carry a notebook, so that I can always write down my thoughts and feelings, especially at times when I feel that I cannot share them with others, much like how the soldiers felt in the book. I also physically carry a necklace that my mother gave me shortly after my grandmother passed away, I always wear it, so that I can have both of them with me, whenever I need guidance and strength.
Tim Obrien uses the phrase "to carry" to mean many different things. The soldiers carry things both physically and emotionally. One of the common feelings that all of the soldiers carry emotionally is hope. The things they carry emotionally, such as hope also effects the things that they carry physically. An example of this is Jimmy Cross. Emotionally he needs hope to get him through the war, this is why he physically carries a picture of the woman he loves, Martha. Jimmy loves Martha, but he is not sure she loves him back, even though he wants her to. He is hopeful that when he gets back home he can start a life with her. This gives him a reason to get through the war. The soldiers also physically carry things for necessity. These things include weapons, food, and various other materials that could become useful. All of the things that the soldiers carried both mentally and physically,were all necessary to help them get through a terrible time.
The things I carry are both physical and mental. There is not one particular emotion that I carry because everyday is different and i feel new emotions pretty much everyday. What I do carry mentally though is lessons from the mistakes I have made. This helps me to make the right decisions. I carry the things I have learned from many different kinds of experiences. I also carry my family, not mentally or physically really I do not know how you would describe it. I carry them in a way that when something goes wrong i can always count on them for support. Physically I carry everything i can fit in my pockets or backpack. I am the type of person who just picks up random objects and puts them in my pockets. I like to feel prepared for any situation just like the soldiers.
Mimi, Sam, and Paul, each of you mentioned that you "carry" your family members or carry something with you that represents one or a few of your family members. Mimi, like myself, you mentioned that you carry the jewelry that has been given to you by your family members. Sam, you said that you carry your cell phone, in order to always stay in touch with your mother. Paul, you said that you carry your family because they are always there to support you. Do you think that in addition to you "carrying" your family members, that they sometimes "carry" you when you are in need?
Yes, I think they do carry us, along with friends. Those are the people we talk to when things go wrong, or feel out of place, and they carry our concerns, at least for that moment and try to lighten the burden.
They might not just carry you when you are in need though. they also could carried something to represent you when they need support because in many time when people need comfort family is what people can count on.... Atleast thats my feelings about it. My mom for example no longer has either of her parents and its her responsability to care for her two brothers who need alot of help due to health reasons.That is why she relys on my dad and myself to care for ourselves and do our part around the house. Its not just a one way thing is what I'm really trying to say. Sometimes people need to rely on you like you can rely on them.
Brie- I hope that my family members carry me because that means that they feel that they can count on me. I think that they carry me not only in a time of need, but all the time. Sometimes it helps people to know that they have someone to count on even if everything is ok for the moment.
I also think that my family members "carry" me when im in need but in a different way. They are more supporting me and helping me whereas I am carrying them for comfort and help.
Carry connotes both figurative and literal meanings. The soldiers physically carry objects such as marijuana, chewing gum, pocketknives, mosquito repellent, groundsheet, coat, and weapons that are needed for their survival. They also carry things that can be used as their shelter from incessant combats and superstitious objects that they believe as a good luck charm. All the men carry emotions such as fear, guilt, grief, and love. The fear is the most common thing that soldiers carry since they do not know how long they will going to last during in the war. The soldiers carry nostalgia, longing for their family and friends, especially for their lovers. For example, Lieutenant Jimmy Cross carries picture and letters of his lover, Martha, in his backpack and her lucky pebble in his mouth. He also carries responsibility for Alpha Company, compasses and map. Above all, guilt is the heaviest thing that he carries because of Ted Lavender’s death, which was happened by his misjudgment. Like Jimmy Cross, Tim O’Brien carries guilt, since his conception did not intend to enlist the army, instead, abandon from the country and fleeing to Canada. He did not want to fight in the war when he got the draft notice, but he felt ashamed of being called as coward, which is the reason that he enlists the army. Basically, all the men are racked with guilt since their universal goal is to kill the enemy. Henry Dobbins carries his girl friend’s panty hoes, longing for her girl friends and love. Kiowa carries integrity, helping his fellow soldiers. Mitchell Sanders carries justice since he refuses to forgive Jimmy Cross for Kiowa’s death and defines the true war stories are lacking in morals. Each soldier has different identities and promotes different things therefore carry different objects and emotions that are appeal to each.
The things I carry are hope and dream about the bright future. Like soldiers need weapons to survive, I need motivations that can drive me to complete my job as a student. And hope and dreams are the ones that motivate me. Dream recharges me when I am about to give up and prevents me from becoming erratic. In the same way, hope keeps me to make the good choices. They are like a picture of Martha to me. Jimmy Cross is elated when he thinks about Martha and has excessive longing and love for her. And she is a reason for him to survive in battle. Like Jimmy Cross, I eagerly want to achieve my dream and feel like I can sacrifice anything for it. However, that fact concerns me when I notice Jimmy Cross’s excessive fondness for Martha kills Ted Lavender. Dream and hope allows me to break the bird cage of fears and worries about failure and vague future, make me courageous.
I'm sure all of our family members and friends carry feelings of love as well as support for us but I can't help but to imagine that they have carried some negative feelings as well at one time or another. Whether it is a broken promise or bad report card, I'm sure someone you care about has carried a feeling of disappointment towards you at one time or another in your life time. However, I think how much that person really cares about you is demonstrated by how fast they let go of or stop carrying that negative feeling about you. This is exactly why parents are very forgiving and best friends can’t keep grudges against each other for very long.
‘Carry’ used by O'Brien contains both physical and emotional meanings. The soldiers physically carry equipment, drug, and weapons, and emotionally carry the feelings like love, fear, and fondness. The both physical and emotional things what the soldiers carry are deeply related to their lives. The soldiers’ lives change depending on what they are carrying. With weapons, tents, and drugs, they can survive and relax themselves in the war. However the emotional things affect on them differently. During the war, what the soldiers carry means a lot since they fight every single moment for their lives. Some of the things they carry are superstitious to make their mind strong. However each of them carries different items as they believe in various things. For example, Jimmy Cross carries the letter and picture of Martha who he truly loves. The letter and picture uphold Jimmy to survive and keep the feeling toward Martha. However, after the death of his man, Ted Lavender, he blames himself and burns the letter and picture to make him stronger. Through the physical items, the soldiers get through many e motional events as Jimmy does and grow up mentally. They things they carry are crucial to them since it can change and affects them a lot.
Mentally, I carry curiosity, experience, and goal. I have a surprising curiosity to know everything I can. I always desire to know about something more. Therefore there is always a risk in front of me. However I think that I enjoy the risk somehow because when I overcome the risk and achieve the success, it gives me a lot not only just happiness but also feeling of being succeeded. Since I face a risk many times due to my curiosity, I need experience to make less loss. Every event and moment that I have experienced helps me to get through the trouble more efficiently. It is scary and fearful like the soldiers in the book to undergo the risk to achieve the goal. However I cannot give up on my goal even if it is too risky. I would figure some other way out. In ‘The things they carried’, the soldiers carry things to advocate themselves on the way of achieving goals. I believe that I carry curiosity and experience to achieve the goal. Therefore to fulfill my curiosity, I carry a notebook to write down what really matters to me. It is not easy to write tiny information in my notebook but if I consider the joy I will achieve after the success, the burdensome memo feels like nothing to me.
In the first story of The Things They Carried there are two basic things the men carried. One is all of their weapons and equipment, which varied, based on the person and his position. The other was the emotion each soldier had to carry. For some it was the fear of war and the stress of leaving a loved one at home and for others it was the depression of seeing people get killed every day.
I carry two basic things. I carry the literal things such as my books for classes and sports equipment. I also carry figurative things such as my emotions. My primary emotion is anxiety. I am an anxious person, which makes new situations stressful. While some people enjoy meeting new people I do not because of my anxiety. This is an emotion I hope to overcome like the soldiers had to overcome their emotions.
In Tim O’Brien’s The Things They Carried the word carry has two components to it, one physical and one mental. Both components of carrying were vital to the soldiers’ survival of Vietnam. The physical things they carried ranged from the necessities such as C rations, weapons, and mosquito repellant, to the superstitious good luck charms such as pantyhose, moccasins, and photographs. These physical items were vital to the soldiers in Vietnam’s survival because would have a hard time doing their jobs as soldiers seeing as how you can’t shoot with-out a gun and you won’t have the courage to carry on with-out a good luck charm. Also, the mental things they carried were dreams, fears, guilts, hopes, and desires. Some of the mental things they carried were represented by the good luck charms the soldiers carried. For example, Lieutenant Cross carried photographs of Martha which represented his dream of having her love and affection which he carried with him through-out Vietnam. Just like the physical things the soldiers carried the mental ones helped them survive Vietnam as well by motivating them to carry on. Just like the soldiers I too carry emotionally and physically what I need to get through the day. I “carry” memories of loved ones, ambitions, dreams, fears, and desires just like the soldiers which motivates me to put in 100% each day of the year.
Everyone has mentioned that the soldiers carried two things, the physical things as well as emotions, but was one harder than the other? Do you think the physical carrying of all of the equipment that weighed somewhere between 30-60 pounds, or more, everywhere the soldiers went was harder than the emotions? Or the carrying the weightless emotions that can eat away at you harder?
Robby-
I believe that it is much harder to carry emotions and feelings than it is to physically carry objects. Unlike the equipment that the soldiers are carrying, once the war is over their emotions, thoughts, feelings and memories will still inhabit them. If something is too heavy for them to carry, they can simply put it down as they are traveling, they can abandon it. But no matter how much they train for war and fight in battle, they cannot abandon their emotions.
As many people said above, I definitely agree with them. In the book, “The Things They Carried,” by Tim O'Brien, there is not a one certain denotation of a word “carried,” but there are numerous definitions of it. Mostly, the definition can be divided into two general meanings in both mentally and physically. First, by mentally, I meant the soldiers in the Vietnam War “carried” memories. Such as when Lieutenant Jim carried his memories of Martha, and the soldiers dreamed of themselves going back to home. They were feared to die in battles or anytime. They saw their fellow soldier die right in front of them. Also they carried their happiness and trust between themselves. Moreover, similar to the things they carried in mentally, their physical things are also related in mutual ways. For instance, when the Lieutenant Jim carried his dream about Martha, he also carried the actual pictures of Martha with him. They also carried dope, tranquilizer, and cigarettes, because they were scared and they needed something that could relax them. They obviously carried their weapons, radios, food supplies, and also a bible as well.
Unlike the soldiers in this book, I only “carry” similar things in both mentally and physically in some ways. In mentally, I do “carry” the memories of my loved ones and my home town. Since I am a foreign student in America, I do miss my country and especially my family. Also, I do “carry” fear with me, because sometimes I fear the death as well. No one knows what will happen in future, or even every second, we may die by murder, natural, and anything like that. However, I “carry” some of the physical objects that the soldiers carried. I carry the pictures of my loved ones, and a bible with me.
Brie-
this is very true. I also believe emotions are harder to carry in the long term. However, i also think that during the war it is harder to carry your equipment. I think the war somewhat distracts you from some of your emotions you may feel. With that said, after the war is over, or you leave, you do have to carry your emotions everywhere and you have more time to think about the war so they can eat away at you.
Robby-
Very good point. I guess it just depends on personal preference. Personally, I would prefer to carry a heavy load of a equipment for a short period of time than carry emotions for an ongoing period of time.
Brie-
yes i think that my family does carry me when needed. Most familys will carry each other to get past hard times or what ever there trying to get through
As everyone has already said, the soldiers carried both an emotional burden as well as a physical burden. Emotionally, they were in the middle of a war which would be enough to drive anyone crazy, but also they were carrying around any emotional baggage from home, or in their troop. Physically is a bit more obvious as it consists of the day to day soldier supplies along with letters or pictures from their families they keep with them. For someone so young and who was right out of school, to suddenly be given multiple weapons and placed in a dangerous setting is both emotional and physical. Both of these burdens helped them survive Vietnam and kept them going.
Robby-
I would find it equally difficult to carry both because if you are loaded down and being shot at you can't exactly sprint or have fast enough reaction time to defend yourself. But along the same lines, I would think that carrying an emotional burden would be equally as difficult because just knowing that yout may never again be able to lay eyes upon or be able to hold those you love everytime you hear shots fired or bombs exploding would be absolute torture.
I agree that carrying heavy equipment is not easier but better than carrying emotions. However don’t you think that carrying emotion may be a good experience? I mean, in life, we at least have sad and miserable experience once. Wouldn’t that be more like real life? If all experience and emotion are happy and joyful, I guess that would be boring too. I’m not saying that sadness is necessary but I think that being human and having real life would require having all the emotion we have.
"Grief, terror, love, longing- these were intangibles, the intangibles had their own mass and specific gravity, they had tangible weight." (Page 20). O'Brien describes the heaviest baggage the soldiers carry as something one cannot see. Still mentioning the given; weapons to protect themselves from the enemy; M-16, M-60, C-4 plastic explosive, and anything that they could use to decrease the risk of them not going home in a body bag.
"Ted Lavender, who was scared, carried 34 rounds when he was shot and killed outside Than Khe..," O'Brien adds, to the things Lavender carries, "plus the unweighed fear. He was dead weight." (Page 7) Besides the fact that the soldier died it is interesting that O'Brien used "scared" to describe Ted Lavender because one would think it would be a given that all the soldiers were scared. Including LT Jimmy Cross, who was scared, blamed the death of Lavender on himself because he could not stop thinking of his own "carry on" instead of protecting his men.
If you go back to the book and read the last paragraph on page 20 that goes on to page 21 you will read the true meaning of what the soldiers “carried”. They carried embarrassment that does not meet the eye.
As for me, I carry love. I carry happiness. I carry pain. I carry secrets I wish I did not know. I carry goofiness. I carry a picture of my aunt in my school bag. I carry talent I do not have. I carry car keys. I carry a burden. I carry the feelings of my family. I carry a stuffed dog that used to say "I Love You" when you would press a button on its left paw. I carry a wild imagination. I carry fear of change. I carry a past of many friends. I carry three bracelets that connect me with some of my favorite people. I carry nothing like the soldiers do.
Robby/Brie-
I agree with Brie's thought that emothion is harder for soldiers to carry. The longing for soldiers about their family and a love is much more harder than physical objects they carry. However, I also think if the physical carrying is really hard, soldiers would not have time to consider about their physical carrying. Because soldier still fight while they are wounded, going through pain, and complete their job.
Paul-
I can relate to what you claim you carry when you said; "I also carry my family, not mentally or physically really I do not know how you would describe it." I am not really sure of the right word to describe it either but I am going to try. It could be one of two things, one; you carry the knowledge of knowing that when you fall your family will be there to help you get back on your feet. Or, two; you carry their feelings, burdens; their baggage of what they express and the events that have occurred in their lives. Both of the two I carry I just wanted to see which one you were referring to. And maybe it is not either one but it was worth the try.
Everyone,
I agree with you all, because the word, "carry" has the general two definitions of both physical and mental. Also, Tim O'Brien explained "carry" as numerous definitions that there are more than one answer and it seems impossible to shorten it down to one exact answer.
Mimi,
Your response was exactly what I had in mind, along with Sam's response. The term "carry" in this book had 2 meanings. It meant how they felt during war and how the war affected them, and what they experienced while fighting, but also hiking from one location to another.
It also meant with what they physically carried, for instance, they "humped" they carried whatever they needed, which also was as little as possible. They not only carried their weapons and gear, but also valuables and things that were part of them, like pictures of their loved ones.
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