"The Things They Carried" and The Random Survival Nature: Chance and Luck

In Tim O’Brien’s poignant novel, "The Things They Carried," the interplay of chance and luck emerges as a central theme, shedding light on the unpredictable nature of survival in war. Through a series of interconnected short stories, O’Brien explores the idea that soldiers' lives are often dictated by randomness, revealing their profound powerlessness in the face of fate. This essay delves into the multifaceted relationship between luck and survival, illustrating how O’Brien masterfully conveys the randomness that governs the lives of soldiers during war.

The Role of Chance in Survival

The theme of survival based on luck is prevalent throughout "The Things They Carried," demonstrated in various instances where soldiers' fates hinge on sheer chance. One of the most striking examples is the story of Henry Dobbins, a soldier who seemingly defies the odds. O’Brien writes, “Dobbins was invulnerable. Never wounded, never a scratch. In August, he tripped a Bouncing Betty [a landmine], which failed to detonate. A week later he got caught in the open during a fierce little firefight, no cover at all, he just breathed deep and let the magic do its work” (O’Brien 112). Dobbins’ survival serves as a stark contrast to that of his comrade Curt Lemon, who dies when he steps on a landmine. The randomness of their fates highlights the unpredictable nature of war, where mere chance can dictate who lives and who dies.

The Irony of Fate

O’Brien’s narrative further reveals the irony inherent in the concept of fate. After the tragic death of Kiowa, O’Brien reflects on the multitude of factors that could be blamed for the incident: “You could blame the war. You could blame the idiots who made the war. You could blame Kiowa for going to it. You could blame the rain. You could blame the field, the mud, the climate...You could blame the munitions makers or Karl Marx or a trick of fate or an old man in Omaha who forgot to vote” (O’Brien 169-170). This exhaustive list illustrates the complexity of causation in war, emphasizing that Kiowa's death was not the result of a singular event but rather an accumulation of random circumstances. The sheer number of potential blame factors underscores the randomness of survival in war, where one small change could alter the outcome entirely.

The Powerlessness of Soldiers

O’Brien poignantly captures the powerlessness of soldiers in wartime, as their lives often hinge on factors beyond their control. This idea resonates in the thoughts of Lieutenant Jimmy Cross after Kiowa’s death: “In his head he [Jimmy Cross] was revising the letter to Kiowa’s father. Impersonal this time. An officer expressing an officer’s condolences. No apologies were necessary, because it [Kiowa’s death] was one of those freak things, and the war was full of freaks, and nothing could ever change it anyway” (O’Brien 169). This reflection illustrates how soldiers grapple with the randomness of fate, recognizing that their survival is often a matter of luck rather than skill or decision-making.

To further illustrate the theme of powerlessness, consider the following table that summarizes key moments in the stories where chance dictated survival:

The Banality of Boredom and Death

Another layer to O’Brien’s exploration of chance is the juxtaposition of boredom and the ever-present threat of death. O’Brien writes, “Even in the deep bush [forest], where you could die any number of ways, the war was nakedly and aggressively boring” (O’Brien 27-28). This statement reveals the paradox of war: amidst the constant danger, soldiers experience profound boredom, reflecting their acceptance of the randomness of survival. The acknowledgment that one could die “any number of ways” serves to underscore the futility of worry, as the soldiers understand that their fates are often beyond their control.

Conclusion

In "The Things They Carried," Tim O’Brien intricately weaves the themes of chance and survival, illustrating the inherent randomness that governs the lives of soldiers in war. Through the experiences of characters like Henry Dobbins, Kiowa, and Jimmy Cross, O’Brien emphasizes the powerlessness of soldiers in the face of fate, highlighting the dark irony that survival often hinges on luck rather than skill or choice. Ultimately, O’Brien’s work serves as a profound meditation on the unpredictable nature of war and the fragility of life, reminding readers that in the chaos of battle, chance reigns supreme.

References:

• O'Brien, Tim. "The Things They Carried." Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, 1990.