Deconstruction

So not to be repetitive with the many comments that have been expressed; I would have to agree with the masses in saying that O’brien’s message in this fictional biography was to illustrate the challenges one would have gone through if they were in the Vietnam war. The Things They Carried has many connotations of individuals who are bound with the atrocities they dealt with at war. Throughout the text this message is received in comments like: “among the necessities or near-necessities were P-38 can openers, pocket knives, heat tabs, wrist-watches, dog tags, mosquito repellent, chewing gum, candy, cigarettes, salt tablets, packets of Kool-Aid, lighters, matches, sewing kits… etc. (626)” This illustration is important because it signifies the physical things one must carry if one was at war. There are several other items that are expressed throughout the text, depending on what class you are associated with.

The binary opposite or deconstruction of this presentation would have to be expressed with the emotional state that is presented to the soldier. O’brien presents this connection with this text; “To carry something was to hump it, as when Lieutenant Jimmy Cross humped his love for Martha up the hills and through the swamps (626) .” This text has a connection with the sexual prowess of Lieutenant Jimmy Cross and his wife with carrying a back pack up the hill. The things they carry are also significant when dealing with the emotional tragedies that had to of occurred in this country. Death was very imminent, and there was surely a feeling of insecurity being thrown into a situation that many did not agree with.