Virginity In The Things They Carried
In Tim O’Brien’s “The Things They Carried” the raw realities of the cruel and unforgiving Vietnam War are authentically depicted. Just in the first five paragraphs sex, narcotics, and death, largely controversial topics in this country, are reasonably apparent.
One character, Lieutenant Jimmy Cross, may be physically present but conveys every sign of distraction. He seems to be in a more copacetic quarter of his mind. In this quarter he finds elation and comfort when he thinks of the (so he thinks is) unrequited love he has for a fine young woman named Martha. Quite often he wonders about her virginity. “Then at full dark he would return to his hole and watch the night and wonder if Martha was a virgin” (151).
Another character referred to as Ted Lavender, relied heavily on his 6 or 7 ounce supply of exceptional dope. Getting loaded was how Ted was able to cope with the hair-raising, unnerving and seemingly endless journey through this frightening war. That and potential physical and mental addiction. “Until he was shot, Ted Lavender carried 6 or 7 ounces of premium dope, which for him was a necessity” (151). The word necessity could imply his dependence on his personal remedy but …show more content…
Nonetheless, the soldiers could be found quaking in their boots and cold-sweating in fear but also in hope that they and their mates would not be next to lay in eternal rest. “Because you could die so quickly, each man carried at least one large compress bandage” (152). In one moment a man is walking about with his heavy load of gear day dreaming of the little things and in the next he may be lying face down in the moist insect infested dirt. This sudden change of position could likely be due to a bullet piercing his occipital lobe. Where did it come from? One could never be sure. This was the most frightening portion. The ones they were supposed to be protecting were trying to murder them! A confusing and dangerous bloodbath this war
One character, Lieutenant Jimmy Cross, may be physically present but conveys every sign of distraction. He seems to be in a more copacetic quarter of his mind. In this quarter he finds elation and comfort when he thinks of the (so he thinks is) unrequited love he has for a fine young woman named Martha. Quite often he wonders about her virginity. “Then at full dark he would return to his hole and watch the night and wonder if Martha was a virgin” (151).
Another character referred to as Ted Lavender, relied heavily on his 6 or 7 ounce supply of exceptional dope. Getting loaded was how Ted was able to cope with the hair-raising, unnerving and seemingly endless journey through this frightening war. That and potential physical and mental addiction. “Until he was shot, Ted Lavender carried 6 or 7 ounces of premium dope, which for him was a necessity” (151). The word necessity could imply his dependence on his personal remedy but …show more content…
Nonetheless, the soldiers could be found quaking in their boots and cold-sweating in fear but also in hope that they and their mates would not be next to lay in eternal rest. “Because you could die so quickly, each man carried at least one large compress bandage” (152). In one moment a man is walking about with his heavy load of gear day dreaming of the little things and in the next he may be lying face down in the moist insect infested dirt. This sudden change of position could likely be due to a bullet piercing his occipital lobe. Where did it come from? One could never be sure. This was the most frightening portion. The ones they were supposed to be protecting were trying to murder them! A confusing and dangerous bloodbath this war