The Things They Carried Tangible And Intangible Chart
The Things They Carried is a novel by Tim O’Brien that explores the experiences of soldiers during the Vietnam War. The book is a collection of interrelated stories that focus on the lives of soldiers, the things they carried with them, and the intangible burdens they bore.
The Tangible Things They Carried
The soldiers in The Things They Carried carried a variety of physical objects with them, including weapons, food, water, and personal items. These objects were essential for their survival and helped them to perform their duties as soldiers.
One of the most important things that the soldiers carried was their weapons. Each soldier was issued a rifle, ammunition, and grenades. These weapons were essential for their protection and for carrying out their missions. In addition, they carried other tools and equipment, such as entrenching tools, bayonets, and radios.
Aside from weapons, soldiers also carried food, water, and medical supplies. They had to carry enough food and water to last them for several days, as they often operated in areas where there was no access to food or water. Medical supplies were also important, as soldiers needed to tend to their own injuries and the injuries of their comrades.
Personal items were also important to the soldiers. They carried photographs of loved ones, letters from home, and other mementos that reminded them of home. These items helped to keep the soldiers connected to their families and to the lives they left behind.
The Intangible Things They Carried
Besides the physical objects, the soldiers in The Things They Carried also carried intangible burdens. These were the emotional and psychological burdens that they had to bear during their time in Vietnam.
One of the most significant intangible burdens was the fear of death. The soldiers knew that they could be killed at any moment, and this fear weighed heavily on them. They also experienced guilt and shame over the things they did in Vietnam, such as killing civilians or destroying property.
Another intangible burden that the soldiers carried was the weight of their memories. They remembered their loved ones, their homes, and the lives they left behind. They also remembered the horrors of war, such as the death and destruction they witnessed. These memories were often painful and difficult to bear.
The soldiers also carried a sense of disillusionment and despair. They had been sent to Vietnam to fight for their country, but they soon realized that the war was futile and that they were fighting for nothing. This sense of hopelessness was a heavy burden that they carried with them.
The Tangible and Intangible Chart
The Things They Carried can be summarized in a chart that shows the tangible and intangible things that the soldiers carried with them:
| Tangible Things | Intangible Things |
|---|---|
| Weapons | Fear of Death |
| Food, Water, and Medical Supplies | Guilt and Shame |
| Personal Items | Memories |
| Disillusionment and Despair |
Conclusion
The Things They Carried is a powerful novel that explores the experiences of soldiers during the Vietnam War. The tangible and intangible things that the soldiers carried with them are a reminder of the physical and emotional burdens of war. This chart helps to summarize the many things that the soldiers carried, both tangible and intangible, and shows how these burdens affected them during and after the war.