Answer to Question #311166 in English for Sheza

Question

Study Questions for "The Things They Carried"

1. Why was America’s involvement in the Vietnam War so controversial? Is this reflected in the story? 

2. How do the personal articles that are carried by each soldier reflect that soldier’s personality and priorities?

3. How does Ted Lavender’s death affect Jimmy Cross?

4. Why does Jimmy burn his photos and letters from Martha?

5. How is military masculinity depicted in the story?

Answer 1

1. Why was America’s involvement in the Vietnam War so controversial? Is this reflected in the story? 

The USA was afraid that communism would spread to South Vietnam and then the rest of Asia. It decided to send money, supplies and military advisers to help the South Vietnamese Government.

2. How do the personal articles that are carried by each soldier reflect that soldier’s personality and priorities?

Ted Lavender ("who was scared") carries tranquilizers. Mitchell Sanders carries condoms. Norman Bowker carries a diary. Rat Kiley carries comic books. Kiowa carries a copy of the New Testament.

3. How does Ted Lavender’s death affect Jimmy Cross?

Why did Lieutenant Jimmy Cross feel guilty about Ted Lavender's death? In what sense is his death Jimmy's fault? Jimmy felt like his death was because he loved Martha so much and he could not stop thinking about her while Ted was in the platoon. Since Jimmy was not paying attention Ted was shot.

4. Why does Jimmy burn his photos and letters from Martha?

After Ted Lavender is killed, Cross feels deeply guilty that he was not able to protect him, and burns Martha's letters and photo as way of trying to apologize and make things right.

5. How is military masculinity depicted in the story?

Militarized masculinity, at its most basic level, refers t. tion that traits stereotypically associated with masculinity can be ac. proven through military service or action, and combat in particular. and military leaders aim to display strength through the use of mil.