The Things They Carried by Tim O'Brien

These flashcards cover key vocabulary terms and concepts from Tim O'Brien's 'The Things They Carried,' which explores themes of war, memory, and storytelling.

Tim O'Brien

Author of 'The Things They Carried,' a collection of linked short stories about the Vietnam War.

The Things They Carried

A collection of interconnected short stories that explore the experiences of soldiers in the Vietnam War.

Narrative Structure

The way a story is organized, often using non-linear timelines to emphasize themes and emotions.

Story-truth vs Happening-truth

A distinction made by O'Brien indicating that emotional truths can differ from factual truths in storytelling.

Kiowa

A character in the book, close friend of the narrator, who dies in a sewage field.

First Lieutenant Jimmy Cross

The character who carries letters from Martha and struggles with the burden of leadership and love.

Norman Bowker

A character who reflects on his experiences in Vietnam and struggles with his return to civilian life.

The 'shit field'

The location where Kiowa dies, representing the trauma and moral ambiguity of war.

The Good Luck Pebble

An object that Lieutenant Cross carries, symbolizing his love for Martha and his feelings of guilt.

Bobby Jorgenson

The new medic who replaces Rat Kiley and is unable to properly treat O'Brien after he is shot.

Azar

A soldier who displays a dark sense of humor and is involved in the cruel prank on Bobby Jorgenson.

Curt Lemon

A character who dies in a tragic manner, symbolizing the unpredictable nature of war.

Mary Anne Bell

Mark Fossie's girlfriend who becomes integrated into the Vietnam experience and changes drastically.

Superstition in War

Beliefs held by soldiers that they must adhere to rituals or objects for protection and luck.

Emotional Baggage

The psychological burdens that soldiers carry due to their experiences in war.

Death and Mourning

Themes explored in the book, highlighting how soldiers cope with loss and guilt.

Vietnam as a Character

The idea that the land itself becomes a significant presence in the narratives and experiences of the soldiers.

Emotional Resonance

The ability of stories to evoke feelings and allow for a connection to the experiences of others.

Loss of Innocence

A recurring theme where characters grapple with the shift from youth to understanding the harsh realities of war.

The Importance of Storytelling

Storytelling serves as a means of processing trauma, keeping memories alive, and forming connections.