Questions and Answers
Match the characters with the items they carried:
Rat Kiley = Comic books, morphine Kiowa = New Testament, moccasins, hatchet Henry Dobbins = Girlfriend's pantyhose Ted Lavender = Dope, tranquilizers, ammo
What does Tim O'Brien and the fictitious Tim have in common?
Both were in the Vietnam War and share stories about feeling like a coward when drafted.
What is verisimilitude?
The quality of being life-like or true.
What happened to Ted Lavender?
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What does Jimmy carry with him?
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What are stories used for according to Tim?
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What was Tim's summer job?
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What caused the fight between Lee Strunk and Dave Jensen?
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What was the pact between Lee Strunk and Dave Jensen?
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Study Notes
Character List
- Rat Kiley: Young medic, carries comic books and morphine; best friend to Curt Lemon; antagonist in "How to Tell a True War Story" when he kills a baby buffalo.
- Kiowa: Religious; carries a New Testament, moccasins, and a hatchet; initiates action in "Church" by expressing discomfort about camping in a church.
- Henry Dobbins: Carries girlfriend's pantyhose for luck; protagonist in "Stockings," confronting his breakup; intervenes in "Style" to defend a girl after Azar’s disrespect.
Real vs. Fictitious Tim
- Both Tim O'Brien (real) and the character Tim share experiences from the Vietnam War.
- Both reflect on feelings of cowardice regarding their draft experiences.
Verisimilitude
- Refers to the lifelike quality in storytelling.
- Tim O'Brien effectively depicts events that feel realistic, whether they happened or not, establishing authenticity in his narrative.
Chapter 1: The Things They Carried
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Items Carried:
- Jimmy Cross: Photos and a pebble from Martha, signifying unrequited love.
- Ted Lavender: Carries dope and tranquilizers, illustrating constant fear.
- Others: Rat’s comic books and morphine; Kiowa’s illustrated New Testament; Dobbins’ girlfriend’s pantyhose for luck; Norman Bowker’s thumb from a young boy.
- Ted Lavender's Fate: Shot and killed; stripped of gear and transported in a poncho, highlighting the harsh reality of war.
Chapter 2: Love
- Jimmy's Burden: Carries a picture of Martha.
- Secrets: Tells Tim not to mention possibly traumatic events related to Ted Lavender.
Chapter 3: Spin
- Purpose of Stories: To preserve memories and connect the past to the future, particularly in the context of erasing memory.
- Azar's Character: Demonstrates cruelty by killing a puppy; noted for his immaturity and youthful nature in the platoon.
Chapter 4: On the Rainy River
- Tim's Summer Job: Declotter at a pig factory, preparing him for the gruesome aspects of war.
- Elroy: Owner of Tip Top Lodge, described as Tim’s hero for showing him kindness and support during his moral crisis about the draft.
Chapters 5 & 6: Enemies and Friends
- Conflict: Originates from a missing jackknife, leading to a physical fight between Lee Strunk and Dave Jensen.
- Outcome: Strunk's nose gets broken; Jensen suffers from anxiety until he breaks his own nose to restore balance.
- Pact: Agreement that if one is seriously injured, the other will end their life as a show of loyalty.
Chapter 7: How to Tell a True War Story
- Definition of a True War Story: It is never morally straightforward; emphasizes the complexity of experiences and emotions in war.
- Rat's Distress: Writes to someone and expresses his upset over the senselessness of his actions in wartime.
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Description
This quiz focuses on character analysis from the book 'The Things They Carried.' It guides you through understanding key characters such as Jimmy, Tim, and Rat Kiley, highlighting what they carry and their roles as protagonists or antagonists. Perfect for mastering chapter details and character relationships.
