Saturday, January 30, 2010
So, this book so far is very interesting to read and I think I like this book the best because it is somewhat down to earth, but it also has hidden meanings and themes. I believe that there are many different themes for this book, especially because I believe each chapter is portraying a different theme. For example, I think that the chapter “How to Tell a True War Story” represents how people tell stories to show the truth of what he or she experienced, but changing some details to show the true hardships that he or she went through. Tim O’Brien does this by having the characters constantly contradicting each other, which explains how the reader does not know who to trust and fully believe. O’Brien wants his audience to realize that real truth of a story is not as important as the actual story telling in general. Another theme for the book is described throughout the entire book and basically is summed up by the title The Things They Carried. The title of the book can have many different meanings and since reading the book, I have uncovered some of the meaning. I believe that when a person goes to war, they end up experiencing things that they will never forget. So, the title of the book reveals that the soldiers are carrying big loads, literally and figuratively. The men in the stories are carrying the essentials along with many heavy instruments that are needed in war. Not only are they physically carrying things, they are encountering bizarre things that they have to carry with them the rest of there lives. Some things they deal with are some of their friends being killed, trying to stay alive themselves, and just knowing that the whole country they are representing are all counting on them. This book is a true, fake story of what happened during the war through the eyes of a soldier. This book is filled with many themes, and I know I will encounter many more as I keep reading.
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Well, I have to say that I completely agree with the first half of your post considering that I pretty much wrote about that topic throughout mine too. Although, I am not too sure if this is the central theme O'Brien is trying to convey throughout each chapter. I guess it will do for now though. I was considering on writing on your second idea as well. As seen throughout the opening story "The Things They Carried," he talks a lot about the contrast between lightness and heavyness. I believe this comment really embodies the central message O'Brien was trying to convey, "the title of the book reveals that the soldiers are carrying big loads, literally and figuratively. The men in the stories are carrying the essentials along with many heavy instruments that are needed in war. Not only are they physically carrying things, they are encountering bizarre things that they have to carry with them the rest of there lives." This is not the only comparison I saw though. In the story "How to Tell a True War Story," there was the scene about the soldeirs hallucinating in the jungle, hearing the most unimaginable sounds they will ever hear in their lives. And after that, there is the scene with the baby water buffalo being shot without making one noise. Maybe he is trying say something about quiet and noise?
ReplyDeleteUp N Down Court =)
ReplyDeleteYou had some idea(s) that i really thought were interesting and gave me some knowledge... lol that sounds weird. For example when you talked about the title "The Things They Carried"...
"I believe that when a person goes to war, they end up experiencing things that they will never forget. So, the title of the book reveals that the soldiers are carrying big loads, literally and figuratively. The men in the stories are carrying the essentials along with many heavy instruments that are needed in war." I <3 what you wrote right here because some of the ideas and questions i had were cleared up... thank u. And i agree with you 100 percent when you said that going to war people experience and go through things that they will NEVER forget.. =)
Court-a-loop!!!
ReplyDeleteYes i love the fact how you mentioned everything about hot the title goes with the story. It's very true that the soldiers do carry the weapons and equipments they need, but also when they leave the war they also carry the burden of what they experienced there. That would not be a good experience for me but to know the fact that every war story includes somewhat false information is just part of life that humans have to deal with. You could never really know what happened in Nam unless your there but in general you absorb what you can and put your feet in that soldiers shoes and know what they went through so it inspires or lets you feel how it all went down. Idk what i am jamming on about but it something you could possibly agree on. Everything that you said gave me an idea that in life everything that you carry is what you bring along or stays with you forever. It's like a never ending lesson we have to learn as we live. Never forget the forgotten and I'll experience more as we keep reading. Nice blog.. you are fierce!!
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