The Things They Carried Study Guide

The Things They Carried: Introduction

Immerse yourself in the complex world of war and its enduring influence as you study the introduction to Tim O’Brien’s The Things They Carried.

The Things They Carried: Plot Summary

Tim O’Brien’s “Things They Carried”: A Plot Overview of the Physical and Emotional Burdens of War, Courage, Loss, and the Power of Storytelling

• Full Book Summary
• Plot Summary by Chapters

The Things They Carried: Characters

Exploring the various characters in “The Things They Carried”

• Tim O’Brien
• Lt. Jimmy Cross
• Bob “Rat” Kiley
• Norman Bowker
• Henry Dobbins
• Kiowa
• Mitchell Sanders
• Ted Lavender
• Curt Lemon
• Azar
• Dave Jensen and Lee Strunk
• Mary Anne Bell
• Martha

The Things They Carried: Themes

Exploring the weight of war and its impact on soldiers’ lives: an analysis of the themes in Tim O’Brien’s The Things They Carried.

• War
• Burden
• Guilt
• Memories
• Death

The Things They Carried: Literary Devices

Examining the Powerful Use of Literary Techniques in Tim O’Brien’s The Things They Carried

• Symbols
• Motifs
• Setting
• Style
• Fiction or True Story
• Purpose

The Things They Carried: Quotes

Exploring the Power of Words: Memorable Quotes from The Things They Carried.

The Things They Carried: Infographics

Visualizing the World of The Things They Carried: Infographics that bring the story to life in a concise and engaging way.

• Character Map
• Timeline

Biography

Learn about the life and influence of Tim O’Brien’s war novel The Things They Carried in an insightful biography.