An Inside Look At A Soldiers Life in the Vietnam War Essay

The emotional stress that most soldiers carry with them during times of war is due to their inexperience and age. The majority of men who fought in the Vietnam war ranged from ages early as eighteen to their early twenties. Among these men, were sons, spouses, friends, boyfriends, and students, who could not understand the thought of war, killing, or contend with their friends’ unexpected deaths. From the beginning of the story, O’Brien the author of â€Å"The Things They Carried† uses specific details and illustrations to show readers what the experience was like for the men during the Vietnam war. Among the many things that the men carry were guilt, fear, grief, and stress. Throughout the story O’Brien emphasizes the dreadful events that†¦show more content†¦While others such as Ted Lavender carried personal items like marijuana and tranquilizers to relax and calm himself down. While others carried a bible like Kiowa , who received the new test ament as a gift from his father. Some of the physical things the men carried were standard government issue, like a compress in case of emergencies such as fatal injuries and a poncho that can be used as a raincoat, groundsheet, or possibly a tent. Almost all the men carry a standard military issue M-16 assault rifle and several rounds of ammunition. While others carry grenade launchers, a pistol, bombs, explosive devices, bug spray, pocket knives, tobacco, cigarettes, can openers and gum. By listing these objects O’ Brien symbolizes the physical burdens the men carry. Despite the physical burdens, O’Brien also illustrates the emotional burdens or stress that each soldier undergoes while in combat. For example, in the story Henry Dobbins carries his girlfriend’s pantyhose with him throughout the war which symbolizes love and longing for one another through an atmosphere of comfort. Although Lieutenant Cross carries the maps, the compass and weapons much like t he others, he carries the responsibility for his men’s lives. The emotional burden that O’Brien encompasses throughout the story. Through these detailed illustrations O’Brien exhibits the physical andShow MoreRelatedFacing It By Yusef Komunyakaa1158 Words   |  5 PagesKomunyakaa, he himself is the one who is speaking, the poem is about his own life experience at the Vietnam Memorial. The way a person can tell if the own poet of the poem is the speaker is by the use of first person. In this case, the poet uses words like â€Å"I† and â€Å"I’m† that support the fact that he is the speaker. The Vietnam War was a Historical event taken place in Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia. 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