Jungle Love

Jungle Love

It is difficult to comprehend the purpose of the Vietnam War. Veterans of this conflict may claim that this encounter was pointless, deadly, but most of all extremely terrifying. The military draft sent thousands of young individuals across the planet in to battle. Tim O'Breien, the author of "The Things They Carried" was subjected to the military draft, and sent to fight for his country. O'Brein's experiences during this period bring this short story right to the front doorstep, like the morning newspaper eagerly waiting to be read. O'Brein not only shows the nature of the beast (war), he also gives the reader strong points of characters coming to realization. Throughout the literature, the characters individualizing emotions lead to their epiphanies.

The soldiers carried more than just personal and standard military issued items. For instance, they carried their emotions after every march through the unforgiving jungle. One example is the death of Ted Lanvender. "Like cement, Kiowa whispered in the dark." (O'Brein 320). Kiowa is retelling how Ted Lavender fell after being shot in the head. "Zapped while zipping."(320.) He is amazed how Lavender was killed in the blink of an eye, and fell like a sack of bricks. As Kiowa rested his head on his bible, his emotions lead to his epiphany. The night is quiet, which he enjoys, yet the images of Lavender's death keep repeating in his head, thus leading to a reality check. "He enjoyed not being dead."(321.) Kiowa's constant replay of Ted Lavender's death affect his emotions, which leads to his epiphany.

Even though the casualties of war are inevitable, the loss of a fellow team member seems to spark different emotions throughout the story. For example, Norman Bowker carries his emotions to himself, and is quiet when it comes to the death of Lavender. "Norman Bowker carried a diary."(316). He carries diary for personal use letting the reader know he has a sense of maturity. He understands his surroundings, being at war in Vietnam, and seems to handle it well. Bowker's after (hump) conversation with Kiowa, sheds light on his emotions of the situation they are in. "All right, fine. That's enough."(320). This is said to Kiowa to shut him up about Lavender's unfortunate death, because he is tired of him speaking of it. The two men exchange word briefly, then to be followed by silence. O'Brein then shows how Bowker's emotions make him realize that the dark jungle is a dangerous place. "What the hell, he said." "You want to talk, talk." "Tell it to me."(321). This clearly shows ones emotions on one hand, leading to an epiphany on the other.

"They were afraid of dying but they were even more afraid of showing it." (321). The men try to show no fear,