The Things They Carried

Presentation on the short story by Tim O'Brien.

Transcript

1. The Things They Carried Tim O'Brien Anthony Bauer, Thomas Gaubert, Colin White, Stephen Ziske
2. Lt. Cross’s Equipment List • Personal Items – 17lbs • Clothes – 15.8lbs • Weapons/Tools – 50.45lbs • Water – 16lbs Total: 99.35lbs
3. Kiowa’s Equipment List • Personal Items – 17lbs • Clothes – 15.8lbs • Weapons/Tools – 42.45lbs • Water – 16lbs Total: 91.25lbs
4. Dobbins’s Equipment List • Personal Items – 17lbs • Clothes – 15.8lbs • Weapons/Tools – 76.95lbs • Water – 16lbs Total: 125.75lbs
5. In addition…
6. Allen  Reunion Tower 25.8 mi – 8 hours, 29 minutes
7. Tim O’Brien October 1, 1946 - Present
8. Structure • No exposition • Little plot explaination • What is carried vs. how its carried
9. 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”
10. Theme • Despite being a cohesive group, each person is still a unique individual • When we die we leave what we have behind • Including identity
11. Characterization • Little to no exposition or description of characters • Use items carried to define each individual
12. 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
13. 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