The Things They Carried

Postmodernism

Main Characters

• Jimmy Cross
• Martha
• Ted Lavendar

Main Plot Points

• Lavender Dies
• Jimmy gets a pebble
• Jimmy decides to be strict

Elements of Fiction

• Vietnam (war)
• strong emotions
• Conflict: Protagonist vs. Himself  
• Third Person Limited

Deciding between the good of yourself and the good of others
(theme)
What you carry with you helps make you who you are (Theme)

The things you have with you help make you who you are. (Theme)

"They shared the weight of memory. They took up what others could no longer bare"

"They shared the weight of memory. They took up what others could no longer bare"

"He had loved Martha more than his men, and as a consequence Lavender was now Dead"

"They were afraid of dying but they were even more afraid to show it"

Who's death meant the most?

• Vietnamese Boy
•  Lee Stunk 
• Henry Dobbins
• Ted Lavender

What did Jimmy not carry?

• Letters from Martha
• A pebble
• M&M's
• .45-caliber Pistol

After Lavender's death Jimmy...

• Puts away Martha's Letters
• Pops a tranquilizer 
• Burns Martha's letters
• Blows up extra grenades