When you read the title “The Things They Carried” you immediately wonder who they are and what are they carrying. This catchy title leaves you wanting to know questions and the only way of answering is to explore the pages. As you move throughout the first pages you begin to realize who “they” is in the title; they are soldiers. Once you grasp this concept of the novel being about soldiers then you start trying to guess what they are carrying. Everyone knows that soldiers carry guns, helmets, and other protective gear; however in the title this is not what the author is referring to.
In chapter one you learn about the different soldiers, their jobs, what they cherish most and also the guilt of the war. For instance Cross is infatuated with Martha; therefore he carries around a picture of her. Other soldiers might be doctors so they carry needles, and other health related equipment and the man next to him would be carrying the heavier guns because he is stronger. The soldiers are not just soldiers but they are human also. To go into battle they left loved ones, hobbies, and business behind; the physical aspect at least. In order for them to remain sane and to keep things as normal as possible they carried along items that they hold very dear to them.
What the title is explaining is that even though they are all soldiers they are too individuals with different loves and interest. Cross is carrying the love of his life in just a couple of pictures, letters and a pebble. That is all he has of her. You also learn from reading that one of his fellow soldiers die in war, this is because of him daydreaming about Martha back at home. From that time after that Cross is not only carrying his loved belongings but he is also carrying the shame of allowing his friend to die for the trade of daydreaming. The title leads you to believe that a group of people are just carrying something however; these soldiers are carrying their families, their jobs and their education.
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