Evidence from the text: In "Night Life," Rat Kiley's fear of being in the jungle leads him to shoot himself in the foot. This signifies the desperation and fear of combat soldiers in Vietnam, as they had to deal with the psychological and physical impacts of war. In "The Lives of the Dead," Tim O'Brien uses storytelling to preserve and revive memories of deceased characters. Through stories, he is able to bring back the memories of soldiers that have died in the war and to pass them on to future generations. This is important because it allows readers to gain insight into the experiences and emotions of those who died in the war, which would otherwise be forgotten. Linds's role in "The Lives of the Dead" is to provide comfort and support to the other soldiers, especially in the face of death. Her presence contributes to the themes of memory and storytelling as she helps Tim O'Brien in his …show more content…
The novel is a collection of interconnected stories that explore the experiences of the soldiers in the war, and the stories are often reflective of their experiences and emotions. Through these stories, O’Brien is able to explore the psychological and physical impacts of war, as well as the importance of memory and storytelling in preserving the experiences of those affected by war. The narrative of The Things They Carried begins with the chapter “The Things They Carried,” which describes the physical objects the soldiers carried with them in the war. The items range from basic necessities such as food and water, to personal items such as photographs and letters from home. These items reflect the hopes and dreams of the soldiers, but also the fear and anxiety that comes with being in a war zone. O’Brien also describes how the soldiers used these items to create a sense of home, and how they carried them as a reminder of the life they left