In Vietnam from 1960 to 1970, as death surrounded the land and homes, someone birthed a story. Tim O'Brien authored “The Things They Carried,” a shivering and heartbreaking story. Through his writing, O’Brien portrays strength, courage, loss, and love in such a dark place and time. Before, during, and after the Vietnam War, as characters grapple with their emotional traumas, O’Brien illustrates their various coping mechanisms and how they use them to survive their experiences during and post-war. O’Brien depicts the mental damage war inflicts on multiple characters. In his stories, he represents post-traumatic stress disorder, survivor’s guilt, hallucinations, and depression in many intriguing ways. Rat Kiley, a young medic who enjoys storytelling, …show more content…
Despite common misuse of the words “courage” and “bravery” today, Tim O’Brien successfully distinguishes between weakness and strength. He redefines masculinity, makes cowardice understandable, and replaces the contemporary definition of courage with a more nuanced one, as he highlights the significance of Bowker's service and emphasizes that one mistake does not make a soldier a coward. Supporting Bowker's embarrassment and guilt, O’Brien states, “Norman did not experience a nerve failure that night. He did not freeze up or lose the Silver Star for valor” (O’Brien 103). By saying this, O’Brien makes cowardice not only comprehensible, but also …show more content…
Kiowa, a man who discusses his feelings openly, shows his bravery through vulnerability and communication, challenging traditional definitions of masculinity and courage. O’Brien criticizes the association of violence and aggression with masculinity, reflecting on his own perceived cowardice for going to the war instead of fleeing to Canada. Despite his initial belief that fleeing would be cowardly, he stays in the United States to avoid the shame, demonstrating how societal pressures influence personal decisions. Once sent to Vietnam, O’Brien and his fellow soldiers found various ways to cope with the war, whether through positive methods or harmful ones. Agreeing with O’Brien, Alex Vernon suggests the war narrative isn't just about combat, but about moral rectitude. Throughout the story, O’Brien and other characters cling to their aspirations and dreams, often daydreaming as a coping mechanism to maintain hope. Soldiers adopt positive coping methods like carrying personal mementos, while others use drugs or engage in unsettling behaviors to deal with their psychological