journal 8.

Journal 8

The Things They Carried

Tim O’ Brien starts with describing many of the things he sees and experiences while being in Vietnam. You begin to notice that certain things are that of fear or guilt, and other things would be like candy or ammunition. He explains different stories that have occurred during this war, and he starts with Ted Lavender. He was the type of man known as to be scared. He used to carry tranquilizers and drugs with him until he died. He was shot in the head when he was on his way back to camp from going to the bathroom. Also, Jimmy Cross is seen as a main part in the stories that go on. When it comes to Ted he found himself at a huge loss at his death. The reason for this would be that his death reminded Cross of his secret love, Martha. This love was one that he gave, but never received. They dated previous to his leaving, but never again did they date. Then O’ Brien goes on to tell of how he came to be there in the first place. He got drafted in 1968. When he found this out he went to the Canada border and questioned whether he should cross, so that he would not have to go. He decided against it because he did not want to disappoint his family. Along with Ted who died many others did. One would include Curt Lemon, a dentist that fainted before working. Also, Strunk and Dave Jensen had agreed that if one had been really harmed that the other would just kill him. The only thing was, was that when Strunk was hurt he begged Jensen to not hurt him more. Jensen was actually relieved to later find that he had been killed any way. One death that was greater impacted than the rest was Kiowa’s. It was his memory that was told by Norman Bowker in later years that brought it to our attention. He tried to save Kiowa, but a mortar round hit him. This pushed him into a marshy field sinking. Making life meaningful has come around through his words. More things come as to speaking of the purpose of life and why such things are carried. The things that are carried are there for the purpose of what someone needs or has to experience. Later on you hear talk from Bowker and Cross who tell stories of ambushes and what to do outside the village of Than Khe. The experience with this is also touching. Then this story twists into how you see that story changing into one that shows how each person’s story has the power to save. It is like that of imagination. It allows O’ Brien to get over the loss of his first love. It is like what he carried was that of the memory of loss.

Response:

The most influential part of this story would appear to be how each thing that is described has a purpose. This purpose is not only just a p[urpose to use in the war, but a purpose that shows little parts of a person. Each person in this story has their own role in which they take on. With that role the things they exp;erience cause them to carry what they do. For instance, Ted was a man that was found to be scared. He carried tranquiklizers with him just in case he needed them and also carried extra ammunition .

-what made him scared? Memories… things he carried fear

The Lesson

Sylvia and some of her friends are waioting next to the mailbox for her neighbor to return. Her name is Miss Moore. She is one different from the rest with extremely black skin and white feet. Miss Moore desires to teach the children how the world they see is much different from what the white life is like. You notice that the children think Miss Moore is one who ruins summer plans, but the parents put upo with her because she take them off her hands. Also, she has a college education, so she can teach them. This time Moore is teaching about money. Sylvia does not like what this woman does with them. She finds her dumb for having an much education. Sylvia would rather be taking money and hair ribbons away from Indians. They walk toeard the subway, and Moore speaks of the cost of different things. She informs of how they live in a not very good part compared to others especially. She also tells of how the wealth is not split equally in this country. When they split into cabs, Sylvia is told to tip the driver five percent when they stop. Moore appears to do this on purpose since Sylvia cannot do such math. When they stop Sylvia decides to just not give the driver any. The children point jokes towards the driver’s mother until he drives off. Then gthey turn around and notice that they are outrside a toy store. All the people are extremely dressed up, and Sylvia declares whites crazy. While looking in the windows one child asks if they can steal once they get inside. Moore pretends not to hear right. All the children are excited and talk of what they are going to buy. Big Butt talks of how he is going to buy a microscope. Many say that he would not even know what to do with it. Moore takes him seriously and goes on about what he could learn from it. When asked what the price is they all realize that it would be out of the question. Sylvia comments lkon how it would take too long to save up that kind of money, and others talk of how he would outgrow it before he did. Rosie sees a part of multicolored glass through the window. She asks what it is and finds that it is a paper weight. Flyboy says that it is for weighing paper, but Moore corrects him. She says it is to hold down papers on a desk. They notice that it would not be needed because they do not keep papers on their desks at school, and they do not have desks at home. Mercedes comments on how she has stationary on her desk that her grandmother brought her. Rosie comments saying, “Who cares?” Flyboy chimes in seeing a sailboat in the window. They notice that is costs over one thousand dollars! Sylvia is angered by this. They talk about how in the worlkd anybody would buy something like that, and on how they could go make one for fifty cents. QT looks at the boat the whole time and really wants it, but he is too small. Rosie questions why parents would buy something like that that would just get sbroken. When Qt says rich people must shop at this store, Flyboys sarcastically says, “What gave you the clue?” Sylvia asks what a real boat costs, and Moore told her to find out and let everyone know. Moore says that they should go inside. Sylvia goes, but she holds back. It is not that she is afraid to go into the store, but feels as if she shouldn’t. Mercedes pushes through and goes to the front. They go inside and are very careful not touch anything. Once they get to the boat one runs their hand along the side as iof it is something miraculous. Sylvia is angered and wants to punch someone. When she sees a monkey toy that costs thirty five dollars, she comments on all the things she could do with that. When they return Moore asks what they thought of the store. Mercedes wants to go back with money, Rosie thinks whites are crazy, and Sylvia didn’t say anything. Sugar says that the sailboat probably costs more than what they eat in a year. Sylvia steps on her foot because it appeared enbcouraging to Moore and tha was agains the rules. Mooire then talks about how the costs had meanings. CFomments were made such as maybe life in this country is not a democracy. Things such as pursuit of happiness should be equal, but money is not in this case. Then Sylvia stops talking and leaves. Sugar and her were going to go get some food as a race. Sugar got ahead, but Sylvia planned on going somewhere else anyway to be alone.

Things that are not needed