The Things They Carried

In Tim O'Brian's story, The Things They Carried, he depicts the real issues of life by using soldiers at war. These soldiers "carried" around not only the essentials they would need for war but they carried hurt, pride, fake love, and fear. As I was reading this story, I found myself thinking about the things that I carry. Lieutenant Jimmy Cross wouldn't climb into a hole to make sure his friend was alright because he feared he would die and never see Martha again, and he was not certain that she loved him in the first place. How often do we worry or carry burdens that are unnecessary? Obviously his friend and fellow soldier should have been more important but he was too consumed with himself and Martha. I never want to be so consumed with myself that I lose sight of the things that are more important. When Ted Lavendar died, the men were full of pride and began to make jokes. Sad enough, men and even ladies still struggle with pride to the point that no one ever sees their true feelings or emotions. I pray that one day pride will be defeated and people will begin to show the world who they really are. Pride holds people back from going to a place with the Lord that they've never been before. The men covered their pain with pride. I think Tim O'Brian did an amazing job of showing these real issues that people still deal with in this day and age.