Commentary on "The Things They Carried" Tim OBrien

        Not only are these men weighed down with an abundant supplies, they are also weighed down by emotional responsibilities. This is demonstrated by the responsibility that Lieutenant Cross feels for Lavender’s death.  Throughout the story, Cross finds himself thinking of Martha, a girl back home whom he loves, relentlessly when he should be worrying about the war.  Even when his fellow brothers are falling under fire, he continues to fantasize, distracting him from the situation at hand. As a result of this distraction, Lavender ends up getting shot. Despite the tough image a soldier needs to maintain, he comes to realize that he was at fault. Cross believed that if he had not been inattentive, Lavender would have been alive. As a way to recompense his sins, he burns the photographs of Martha. However this was not enough, O’Brien writes “Lavender was dead. You couldn’t burn the blame.” (652) Protecting Lavender was Cross’ duty, but because he failed to keep Lavender safe, it became a burden that he will carry for the rest of life. He blames himself for Lavender death; he recognizes that it was his responsibility to shelter Lavender from the bullets of the enemy. This burden will plague him forever. The concept of responsibility is made real to the reader through the descriptions of the things the men carried.

        The imagery and symbolism of this story makes the piece more relatable to the readers.  In today’s world, soldiers are seen as “different” people. As a result of O’Brien descriptions, the soldiers are viewed as being relatable to the everyday civilian. With the physical and the emotional burdens that they carried, it gives the character a background. Like us, they all have families, hobbies and lives outside of the battlefield. Despite their tough outer shell, these soldiers are just like everyone else.