The Things They Carried

The book opens, “First Lieutenant Jimmy Cross carried letters from a girl named Martha, a junior at Mount Sebastian College in New Jersey” (1). Martha does not seem to love Jimmy; nevertheless, Jimmy obsesses over the letters, taking them out and reading them every night “after a day’s march” (1). He imagines taking camping trips with her, and wonders to himself if she is still a virgin. For the most part, “[t]he things they carried were largely determined by necessity,” such as “P-38 can openers, pocket knives, heat tabs, wristwatches, dog tags, mosquito repellant, chewing gum, candy, cigarettes” (2) and other practical items, which could weigh up to 18 pounds. Henry Dobbins enjoys peaches and cake. Dave Jensen carries a toothbrush and dental floss. Ted Lavender carries tranquilizers and “premium dope” (3). Kiowa carries an illustrated version of the New Testament.

Each man carries a flak jacket, which weighs “6.7 pounds, but which on hot days seemed much heavier” (3). Most men carry photographs, like Jimmy Cross, who carries two photos of Martha. In one, she is standing against a brick wall; in another she is playing volleyball. The photos remind Jimmy of a date he went on with Martha during which he touched her knee while watching Bonnie and Clyde at a movie theatre.