The Things They Carried Study Guide

Flashcards highlighting key vocabulary, themes, and events from 'The Things They Carried' to aid in exam preparation.

Nonlinear Narrative

A narrative structure that doesn't follow a straight line, often jumping between times and events.

Story-Truth

The emotional truth conveyed through storytelling, as opposed to factual accuracy.

Major Themes

Key concepts explored in the book, including the burdens of war and the nature of truth.

Moral Ambiguity of War

The complex ethical considerations and lack of clear right or wrong in wartime.

Coping Mechanisms

Methods that soldiers use to handle trauma and stress during and after war.

Isolation During and After War

The feeling of disconnection experienced by veterans in civilian life.

The Burdens We Carry

Emotional, psychological, and physical weights that characters bear throughout the narrative.

Ted Lavender’s Death

A significant event representing the unpredictability and loss of life in war.

Conversational Tone

A style that mimics spoken language, making the narrative more relatable.

Characters Reliving Events

The phenomenon where characters experience or remember the same events in varied ways.

Trauma and Memory

The relationship between psychological trauma and how memories are formed and recalled.

Kiowa’s Moccasins

A symbol representing the personal connections and losses felt by the characters.

The Dead Vietnamese Man

A symbol reflecting the cost of war and the complexities of morality.

Norman Bowker Circles

A motif demonstrating the cyclical nature of trauma and memory.

Sewage Field

A symbol illustrating the harsh realities of war and the human experience.

Dobbins’s Pantyhose

A coping mechanism symbolizing comfort and superstition amidst chaos.

Humor in War

A way for soldiers to cope with fear and the absurdity of their experiences.

Veteran Disconnection

The gap felt by veterans between their experiences and civilian life.

What is truth?

A philosophical question explored deeply in the narrative regarding the nature of reality.

Why do we tell stories?

A question addressing the purpose of storytelling in conveying experiences.

What do stories do for the living?

Explores the role of stories in processing trauma and connecting with others.

Mary Anne Bell’s Transformation

A pivotal event highlighting the impact of war on identity.

Curt Lemon’s Death

An event that underscores the arbitrary nature of life and death in combat.

Rat Kiley’s Breakdown

An event depicting the mental strain soldiers endure in the face of trauma.

Tim O’Brien

The narrator and character who blends personal and fictional experiences.

Jimmy Cross

A character who struggles with guilt and responsibility for his men.

Kiowa

A character who embodies the spiritual and moral aspects of the war experience.

Henry Dobbins

A character representing the human side of soldiers, embodying superstition and comfort.

Emotional Truth

Truth that conveys deep feelings and insights, often more powerful than mere facts.

Reality vs. Fiction

Themes that blur the boundaries between actual events and fictional storytelling.

Chapters of Review

Key events to remember for understanding character development and themes.

Storytelling Rituals

Practices among soldiers that reinforce bonds and share experiences.

The Lake

A symbol of peace contrasted against the chaos of war.