Character Comparison in Tim OBriens The Things They...

The central theme of the story is the age-old conflict of life and death. On a more personal level with First Lieutenant Jimmy Cross, the round character and protagonist of The Things They Carried, it is a conflict of love, his antagonist and of war. The author, Tim OBrien, is writing about an experience of a tour in the Vietnam conflict. This short story deals with inner conflicts of some individual soldiers and how they chose to deal with the realities of the Vietnam conflict, each in their own individual way as men, as soldiers. There were certain items or supplies that each soldier needed to possess that aided in their survival. Other items were discretionary or optional, not entirely important for the†¦show more content†¦The only distinct change that he goes through is a change from being alive to being dead. He does not know he has changed. I believe that this is a form of dramatic irony. The feeling of being scared to die is Lavenders antagonist. Kiowa, it would seem was Indian, conceivably, Kiowa. He carried an illustrated New Testament, given to him by his father, a Sunday school teacher. On night missions he carried moccasins, for silence. He also carried his grandfathers feathered hatchet and his grandmothers distrust of the white man. Kiowa was also a very religious Baptist. I think that Kiowa would be defined as a stock character. I, maybe wrong, but I believe that is stereotypical to correlate Indians with hatchets, war, feathers, moccasins and the dislike or distrust of the white man. I do not think it is in distaste when Indians are described like this. Perhaps it is done out of respect or with awe, for a culture with warrior pride, traditions and beliefs. Perhaps this is why Kiowa could not feel for Lavender the same way that Lt. Cross seemed to be grieving for him. As a warrior, Kiowa knows that life is fragile and death is to be met. Maybe seeing Lavender die, while zipping up was an eye opener for the Native, showing him that death can be lurking around the corner, not only in combat but anywhere. I do not see any antagonists for Kiowa. He may be described as one of the strongest characters in the story. Oppositely,Show MoreRelatedHeroism In Tim OBriens The Things They Carried1684 Words   |  7 PagesRyan and American Sniper. However, the glorified heroism that is depicted in these films is far from the reality that is war. A more realistic rendition of war is seen in Tim O’Brien’s short story, The Things They Carried. Throughout the story, O’Brien uses metafictional characters to portray the physical and emotional burdens carried by American soldiers who were forced to conform to societal expectations upon being drafted for the Vietnam War. 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