Transcription of CHARACTER CHART for THE THINGS THEY CARRIED
1 CHARACTER CHART for THE THINGS THEY CARRIED Name Defining Characteristics, rank , Important Plot Details or Relationships Items he carries (physical): Intangible items he carries: Lt. Jimmy Cross Platoon leader; in charge of men; loves Martha but she considers him just a friend; name: JC/cross- symbol-martyr, leader, Christ figure-> has followers/cross to bear, responsibilities for others, kind, compassion, endures difficulties, can represent the sacrifice that one makes to save the world Martha represents home, purity & what waits for soldiers, however pretending/fantasizing about what s behind is dangerous b/c it s not reality- Cross s love for Martha isn t returned (like when Vietnam vets returned home to anger instead of thanks) Compass-> Pictures/letters Pebble Leads the way/direction, guide- decisions-weight of leadership Sentimental, unfulfilled, regret, obsession, an ideal, innocence, elusive, home (Juxtaposition btwn war & innocence- war strips away innocence and changes a person forever) Carries guilt of Ted L s death-b/c he was thinking of Martha, but irony is that no one can prevent death Superstition/luck.
2 Good luck charm Ted Lavender rank below Lt.; always afraid and drugs himself to get through; name: soft color-plant used for calming stress/nerves (irony-he s the most nervous and needs drugs to calm himself); he s symbolic for all soldiers who die in war (1st dead soldier in book) extra ammo for protection tranquilizers/dope fear- but dies anyway Zapped while zipping Boom-down flipping the tragedy into comedy to try to have some control over death- this was not a hero s death (valiant) and not like the movies depict- death if fast, unseen, unexpected, inevitable, no luxury to mourn, absurd, anticlimactic- doesn t matter if one is brave or scared death is unstoppable Henry Dobbins Big man bigger guns/ammo peaches girlfriends pantyhose necessity vs. excessive but sense of home, security good luck charm, security gender gap Dave Jensen Extra prepared Field hygiene kit; socks to prevent trench foot Germaphobe- his fear is almost irrational, tries precautions but still can t stop disease/death Mitchell Sanders RTO (radio telephone operator)-communication however he has the most inappropriate humor of them all- represents those that can t/won t grow up Radio Condoms Brass knuckles Physical person; twisted humor, immature and silly Norman Bowker Gentle man, funny Carries enemies thumb This is used to get to larger philosophical Q- what is the moral of the stories?
3 -there is no moral (paradox) what is the moral of war?? Kiowa Native American- taught not to trust white men, but that s who he fights with and it s a dilemma Grandfather s hatchet bible Distrust of white men Traditions and cultural heritage, religious beliefs Rat Kiley medic Comics M & Ms He sees worst of the worse-comics provide relief Provides comfort and distraction to dying soldiers-carries resp. to ease pain and fear of death Lee Strunk
