The Things They Carried by Tim O’Brien

The Things They Carried by Tim O’Brien is a historical fiction book published in 1990.

General Summary (No Spoilers!)

The novel opens in the jungles of Vietnam, introducing a platoon of American soldiers. Each character is described through the items they carry – ranging from weapons and gear to personal mementos – giving insight into their personalities and what matters to them.

The book moves between different moments in time, following the platoon through various missions, daily routines, and tense encounters. The narrator, a fictionalized version of O’Brien himself, recounts specific events from the war, moments of fear, confusion, and occasional playfulness among the soldiers.

The rest of the novel follows the soldiers through their time in Vietnam and briefly touches on their lives afterward. Some chapters revisit earlier events from different angles, while others focus on individual soldiers’ personal experiences. Though the stories don’t always follow a strict timeline, they come together to show the full picture of what the soldiers went through during and after the war.

Background

During the Vietnam War, many soldiers were incredibly young, with some drafted straight out of high school, facing intense combat and life-or-death situations far from home. The average age of American combat troops was around 19, leaving them with limited life experience to process trauma or make strategic decisions. 

Drug use, particularly marijuana and amphetamines, was widespread as a coping mechanism for stress, boredom, and the horrors of battle. Morale was frequently low, partly due to unclear objectives, harsh conditions, and the unpopularity of the war back home. Many soldiers witnessed or participated in acts that conflicted with their personal morals, leaving lasting psychological scars. 

Relationships within units were crucial; bonds between soldiers often became the only source of stability amid chaos. 

The Things They Carried reflects these realities, showing how ordinary young people endured extraordinary pressures, both physically and emotionally, in a war that was morally and politically complicated. 

Themes

Physical and Emotional Burdens

• “The things they carry” are not only physical, but emotional. Memories of war linger and shape the lives of soldiers long after they return home

Guilt and Responsibility

• Many characters struggle with guilt over actions taken – or not taken – during the war. They wrestle with questions of moral responsibility and the consequences of their choices, both on the battlefield and in their personal lives

The Loss of Innocence

• War inevitably shatters the innocence of those involved. The experiences force the soldiers to confront the harsh realities of life and death, leading to profound changes in their perceptions of the world around them

Subjective Nature of Reality

• O’Brien highlights the subjective nature of memory and the power of storytelling to convey emotional truths. While facts may be malleable, the emotional impact of experiences is very real

Review

The book excels at capturing the psychological weight of war. This emotional authenticity sets it apart from many conventional war novels, leading to a Pulitzer Prize nomination.

Its episodic, almost fragmented structure mirrors the disorientation of combat and memory, offering a unique approach compared to more linear war narratives. This experimental storytelling has influenced how contemporary war fiction is written.

Personal Thoughts And Recommendations

Despite it being required reading for school, I enjoyed The Things They Carried and reread it afterwards. My favorite elements of the novel are the morally complex themes and ease of reading. 

I recommend this book to anyone who likes exploring the effects of war on individuals and the power of storytelling to convey experiences. For example, if you like All Quiet on the Western Front by Erich Maria Remarque or Catch-22 by Joseph Heller, you should read The Things They Carried.

---

Check out more Fiction posts!

• The Things They Carried by Tim O’Brien
• The Dispossessed by Ursula K. Le Guin
• Narcissus and Goldmund by Hermann Hesse
• The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue by V.E. Schwab
• The Nickel Boys by Colson Whitehead
• The Moon Is A Harsh Mistress by Robert A. Heinlein
• The Poisonwood Bible by Barbara Kingsolver
• The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho
• Foundation by Isaac Asimov
• A Passage To India by E.M. Forster
• The Little Prince by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry
• Do Androids Dream Of Electric Sheep? by Philip K. Dick

---