The Things They Carried by Tim O'Brien

Never has a work of fiction so powerfully captured the psychological toll of war on soldiers and their struggle to find meaning in its aftermath.

Summary

Published in 1990, Tim O'Brien's The Things They Carried has become one of the most influential, highly acclaimed, and widely-read works about the Vietnam War. This collection of linked short stories draws on O'Brien's own experiences as a soldier, blending fact and fiction to explore the physical and emotional burdens carried by those who fought.

Plot

The Things They Carried follows a platoon of American soldiers in the Vietnam War. It opens by describing the various items, both tangible and intangible, that the soldiers carry with them—ranging from weapons and supplies to emotional burdens like fear, love, and grief. Lieutenant Jimmy Cross, the platoon leader, carries letters and photos from a woman named Martha, though his preoccupation with her leads to tragedy when one of his men is killed.

As the book progresses, the stories recount soldiers’ various experiences, blending elements of memoir and history with fiction. Some key events include Tim O'Brien's near-decision to flee to Canada to avoid the draft, the death of a young Vietnamese man that haunts O'Brien, and the loss of soldiers like Kiowa in horrific battlefield conditions.

Throughout the book, O'Brien reflects on the nature of truth and storytelling. He argues that the factual truth of war stories is often less important than their emotional truth and power to convey the experience of war. This theme is exemplified in stories like “Sweetheart of the Song Tra Bong,” where a soldier's girlfriend comes to Vietnam and gradually goes native, highlighting the transformative and surreal nature of the war.

The Things They Carried concludes with O'Brien reflecting on how storytelling allows him to keep alive the memories of those he lost, including his childhood friend Linda, who died of cancer, as well as fellow soldiers killed in combat. By telling these stories, O'Brien suggests that he can partially redeem the senseless deaths and trauma of the war, preserving the humanity of those who experienced it.