There are many objects or scenes that have immense symbolism in The Things They Carried. The Things They Carried is a novel written by Tim O’Brien. The book is essentially stories through the different perspectives of people he went to the Vietnam War with, including himself. The title of the book in itself represents the basis of the story. In the first chapter, the author lists things some of the men in Lt. Cross’ corps carry. Some items were necessities and some gave the reader ideas of what kind of person one was based on their possessions. Lt. Cross carried photographs, such as a girl named Martha, playing volleyball or in front of a brick wall. Letters signed love at the end of them, and a lucky pebble from a girl he was infatuated with. From these personal items, we can clearly see that he loves this girl and keeps her close to his heart. The author refers to the soldiers carrying things as “humping”. So, Lt. Cross humps his love for Martha everywhere he goes. Cross relied on his love for Martha to get him through the war. Having something that tied him back home, something innocent and free from bloodshed, kept him fighting. …show more content…
Cross. He served as the platoon’s moral compass. He carried a Bible, an old hatchet, and the distrust of white men. Kiowa is very religious. He carried an illustrated version of the New Testament that was given to him by his father. His father, presumably a preacher, taught at an Oklahoma Sunday school. Kiowa is Native American so he has an Indigenous background. With that background comes the stories of not trusting white people since they stole their land. His grandmother was the one to bestow the distrust and he carries it with him. His grandfather’s hatchet serves as Kiowa’s tie to his family and back