The Things They Carried

The Things They Carried

In Tim O’Brien’s The Things They Carried the theme of courage is explored through soldiers fighting a new kind of war in Vietnam, a jungle war. The war is unlike any previous war and brings about fears that no man has faced before. The fears spark courage in some and cowardice in others. O’Brien does not define courage in so many words, but he gives examples. The examples are several short stories which are the basis of the book. Each story gives readers a chance to view different perspectives about the war and get an understanding of the emotions soldiers went through. It becomes clear that without fear courage is just a word, but to fight for what you love sparks a risk, a chance, and a will to go on.

O’Brien makes it clear through his short stories that Vietnam is no war like any other. Unlike previous wars fought on battlefields, with guns and canons shot at enemy lines the jungle is full of surprises. Jungle warfare is new to mankind and anyone engaging in it does not know what to expect. The fear of rough terrain, mines and hidden enemies deep within the brush are obstacles no one before their time have faced. Death could happen at any moment. Soldiers are put in life and death situations where finding courage becomes the greatest challenge. The only way to survive is to be brave and see death as a possibility and not the indefinite outcome.

Another theme of courage is seen in the short story Love. Lieutenant Jimmy Cross shows courage by leaving his love Martha and life back home to go fight in the war. His mind is full of emotions and he can not stop thinking about her, but he realizes he has been called upon a duty. He realizes that fighting in the war is his responsibility and life as he knew it must be postponed. The only way to face the fears of war is to gain a trust within him and fight to get back to the life he once had. All soldiers in the war like Jimmy do not know exactly why they are fighting in the war, but their...