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The Things They Carried

The Things They Carried

Presentation on the short story by Tim O'Brien.

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Thomas Gaubert

March 08, 2013
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  1. Lt. Cross’s Equipment List • Personal Items – 17lbs •

    Clothes – 15.8lbs • Weapons/Tools – 50.45lbs • Water – 16lbs Total: 99.35lbs
  2. Kiowa’s Equipment List • Personal Items – 17lbs • Clothes

    – 15.8lbs • Weapons/Tools – 42.45lbs • Water – 16lbs Total: 91.25lbs
  3. Dobbins’s Equipment List • Personal Items – 17lbs • Clothes

    – 15.8lbs • Weapons/Tools – 76.95lbs • Water – 16lbs Total: 125.75lbs
  4. Tone • Subdued, hopeless, apathetic, detached • Mixture of mundane/metaphorical

    to confuse reader • Inverting of world with what is described as the ”feel of the worst dream becoming real”
  5. Theme • Despite being a cohesive group, each person is

    still a unique individual • When we die we leave what we have behind • Including identity
  6. Characterization • Little to no exposition or description of characters

    • Use items carried to define each individual
  7. Characterization • Jimmy Cross – letters, pebble, digging tool •

    Martha – woman who doesn’t return Cross’s love • Ted Lavender – Marijuana, tranquilizers, starlight scope • Henry Dobbins – pantyhose, flag, insecticide, food • Kiowa – New Testament, moccasins, hatchet
  8. Characterization • Norman Bowker – thumb • Boy with thumb

    – rice, rifle, ammo • Rat Kiley – brandy, M&Ms • Mitchell Sanders – brass knuckles, radio, tiger fatigues • Dave Jenson – ear plugs, vitamins, empty sandbags • Lee Strunk – slingshot, tanning lotion