The Things They Carried Characters

Study Notes

Tim O'Brien

Narrator and protagonist who almost flees the draft; conflicted about family obligations.
Uses storytelling as a coping mechanism for guilt and confusion post-war.

Jimmy Cross

Lieutenant deeply in love with Martha; his daydreams distract him from the war, leading to the deaths of Ted Lavender and Kiowa.

Mitchell Sanders

Acts as a father figure; kind and devoted, he upholds a strong sense of justice.
His storytelling influences O'Brien, though their styles differ.

Norman Bowker

Represents the psychological scars of war; profoundly affected by Kiowa's death.
Takes his own life at a YMCA due to the trauma of his experiences.

Henry Dobbins

Machine gunner characterized as a gentle giant, showcasing the contrast of strength and sensitivity.

Rat Kiley

Medic whose real name is Bob; narrates the "Sweetheart of the Song Tra Bong" story.
Overwhelmed by war stress; deeply affected by Curt Lemon's death.

Curt Lemon

Childish soldier killed while playing catch with a grenade; symbolizes the immaturity of young soldiers.
Notable story involving a dentist highlights their fears.

Ted Lavender

Young, anxious soldier who relies on drugs for calm; dies early in the narrative, representing the fragility of life in war.

Lee Strunk

Minor character whose conflict with Dave Jensen over a knife leads to a broken nose.
Dies from injuries, violating a pact with Jensen about mercy killings.

Dave Jensen

Minor character who feels guilt after injuring Strunk; initially vows to kill him if he becomes severely injured but does not follow through.

Azar

Represents cruel and unsympathetic behaviors in soldiers; mocks Vietnamese corpses, indicating a defense mechanism against war trauma.

Bobby Jorgensen

Medic replacing Rat Kiley; mishandles O'Brien's second gunshot wound, causing infection.
Tension between him and O'Brien culminates in attempted revenge and eventual resolution.

Elroy Berdahl

Manager of Tip Top Lodge who subtly encourages O'Brien to confront rather than escape from the war.

Kathleen

O'Brien's young daughter representing innocence; prompts O'Brien to articulate the complexities of war.

Mary Ann Bell

Girlfriend of a soldier who immerses herself in the Vietnam war, ultimately losing herself to it and becoming a Green Beret.

Mark Fossie

Soldier who brings his girlfriend to Vietnam seeking comfort; loses her to the war as she becomes absorbed in the conflict.

Linda

O'Brien's first love who dies from a brain tumor in elementary school; her death marks O'Brien's first encounter with loss.

Description

This quiz focuses on the key characters from Tim O'Brien's novel 'The Things They Carried.' Explore the motivations and complexities of characters like Tim O'Brien and Jimmy Cross, and how their experiences shape the narrative. Enhance your understanding of their struggles and relationships within the story.

The Things They Carried Characters

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Questions and Answers

Who is the narrator and protagonist in 'The Things They Carried'?

What does Jimmy Cross blame himself for?

What impact did Kiowa's death have on Norman Bowker?

What mental state does Rat Kiley experience during the war?

Curt Lemon was killed while playing catch with a grenade.

What was Ted Lavender's coping mechanism for fear?

What pact did Dave Jensen and Lee Strunk make?

Which character is described as mean-spirited and cruel?

What does Elroy Berdahl do to help Tim O'Brien?

How did Mary Ann Bell change after arriving in Vietnam?

Linda was O'Brien's first love who died of a brain tumor in fifth grade.