The Things They Carried by Tim OBrien - Book Report/Review Example

 The facts are real occurrences; for instance, soldiers defending themselves against attacks from the enemy. On the other hand, fiction entails extraordinary occurrences, like surviving a hail of bullets (O’Brien 23).The story adequately illustrates the love theme. Expectations on the love issue involve the people who are in love meeting and then living together happily ever after. This expectation is not achieved in the story. This is because cross only hopes to meet Martha in the future.

He comforts himself through thinking about past relationships with Martha; however, future love life with Martha is very uncertain. The title of the story illustrates the war environment. The battleground expectation is adequately addressed in the story. War environment usually has violence scenarios that involve death and violence. On the other hand, the war environment also has beauty and joy; for instance, participating in rain dance during battle breaks. The title creates an expectation of friends and enemies.

These expectations are adequately addressed in the short story. A friendship relationship between Jensen and Strunk, who are soldiers participating in the Vietnam War. Initially, the two soldiers continuously antagonized each other. However, friendship and respect between them increase, due to the high levels of battle horrors and stress. Eventually, the two agree to support each other and fight together, side by side. The story also effectively illustrates a war story. The expectation is adequately achieved.

The author uses different points of view of fellow soldiers, in explaining the events that took place during the battle. The title of the story creates expectations of fatal scenes. The expectation is effectively addressed. O’Brien illustrates his reaction when he first saw a dead body. The dead body was that of Linda, his childhood love. Viewing the dead body negatively affected him emotionally. In Vietnam, the soldiers discuss the stories of the fallen soldiers to keep them alive. According to expectations, a war environment must have some superstitious individuals.

This expectation is achieved. O’Brien illustrates that Henry Dobbins wore around his neck, the stockings of his girlfriend, during the war, or when retiring to bed. He believes that the stockings have the power to provide good luck (O’Brien 31). Religion plays a significant role during wars. The church provides a peaceful environment for the soldiers and a safe environment where they can interact properly with the other members of society. This expectation was achieved during the Vietnam War.

The platoon used the church, managed by the monks, as a base for receiving additional supplies like foodstuffs and medicines. Henry Dobbins was a religious individual; this is because he at one time desired to join the priesthood. In conclusion, The things They Carried is very illustrative. The short story creates literary expectations and then provides adequate scenarios and explanations that attempt to address or provide illustrations to the expectations. The paper has adequately explained the literary concept of expectations, with appropriate explanations.