4.Plot Summary

This story is about a man and his experiences with the vietnam war. The vietnam war was an unpopular war. He was drafted therefore he was forced to fight in a war he was against. He contemplated fleeing to Canada but he feared the humiliation.At the age of 19 he was sent to Vietnam which is where this story takes place.

In the book the author talks about The Things They Carried.He refers to all of the equipment they carried then to their respective responsibilities.The author implies that they carry responsibility for each other as well.The author shares his 'war stories'. They tell of death friendship and love.The author then currently adresses the story and how it relates to him now. He talks of his own self-conflict along with that of his former comrades.

5.Kiowa

Kiowa is the religious 'leader' of the group. Born in Oklahoma and a baptist, Kiowa is the only Native American soldier in the story.Kiowa is a good soldier. He is often the voice of reason in the unit and is one of the more likeable characters. Kiowa is the author's best friend in the story. Kiowa is killed by a blast that sends him into a quicksand of waste. The author blames himself for the death of Kiowa.

7. Theme

The themes in The Things They Carried are strength, courage, and companionship.Strength because while in Vietnam the men see many disturbing things.They learn to toughen up and do things that they never thought they would do. Courage because they live knowing that they could die at any momentand finally, Comraderie. The soldiers in the story become close to one another and when a soldier dies it affects everyone differently. For some the death of a comrade is harder to deal with than for others.