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Suggestions
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An Inspector Calls
Fahrenheit 451
Heart of Darkness
The Handmaid's Tale
The Merchant of Venice
Shakespeare
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No Fear Shakespeare Translations
Shakespeare Study Guides
Shakespeare Life & Times
Glossary of Shakespeare Terms
Literature
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No Fear Literature Translations
Literature Study Guides
Glossary of Literary Terms
How to Write Literary Analysis
Other Subjects
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Biography
Biology
Chemistry
Computer Science
Drama
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The Things They Carried
Tim O’Brien
Study Guide
Infographic
Study Guide
Infographic
Summary
Summary & Analysis
“The Things They Carried”
“Love”
“Spin”
“On the Rainy River”
“Enemies” & “Friends”
“How to Tell a True War Story”
“The Dentist”
“Sweetheart of the Song Tra Bong”
“Stockings”
“Church”
“The Man I Killed”
“Ambush”
“Style”
“Speaking of Courage”
“Notes”
“In the Field”
“Good Form”
“Field Trip”
“The Ghost Soldiers”
“Night Life”
“The Lives of the Dead”
Full Book
Full Book Summary
Full Book Analysis
Key Facts
Characters
Character List
Tim O’Brien
Jimmy Cross
Mitchell Sanders
Kiowa
Mary Anne Bell
Norman Bowker
Elroy Berdahl
Literary Devices
Themes
Motifs
Symbols
Protagonist
Antagonist
Setting
Genre
Allusions
Style
Point of View
Tone
Foreshadowing
Metaphors and Similes
Questions & Answers
How does Kiowa die?
What are the things the soldiers carry?
In the title story of the book, why does Lt. Cross burn Martha’s letters?
Why aren’t the stories in chronological order?
Who is Linda?
Why didn’t Tim O’Brien try to evade the draft by going to Canada?
Who is Kathleen?
How do the soldiers cope with death during wartime?
How does Curt Lemon die?
What happens to Mary Anne Bell?
What does Norman Bowker need after he returns home?
What point does O’Brien make about stories and truth?
Why does O’Brien become angry at Bobby Jorgenson and eventually want to get revenge on him?
Where does O’Brien take his daughter, Kathleen, in Vietnam?
What happens to Rat Kiley?
Quotes
Important Quotes Explained
By Symbol
The Dead Young Vietnamese Soldier
Kathleen
Linda
By Setting
Vietnam
Quizzes
Book
Full Book Quiz
"The Things They Carried"
"Love"
"Spin"
"On the Rainy River"
"Enemies" and "Friends"
"How to Tell a True War Story"
"The Dentist"
"Sweetheart of the Song Tra Bong"
"Stockings"
"Church"
"The Man I Killed"
"Ambush"
"Style"
"Speaking of Courage"
"Notes"
"In the Field"
"Good Form"
"Field Trip"
"Ghost Soldiers'
"Night Life"
"The Lives of the Dead"
More
Character List
Analysis of Major Characters
Themes, Motifs, and Symbols
Essays
Historical Context Essay
Literary Context Essay
Central Idea Essay
Mini Essays
Suggested Essay Topics
What Does the Ending Mean?
Further Study
Suggestions for Further Reading
Related Links
Movie Adaptations
Tim O'Brien and The Things They Carried Background
Quizzes
Character List Quiz
Quizzes
Character List Quiz
1
of 5
Who leads Alpha Company?
Tim O'Brien
Jimmy Cross
Mitchell Sanders
Norman Bowker
2
of 5
Who is O'Brien's closest friend during the war?
Kiowa
Jimmy Cross
Curt Lemon
Azar
3
of 5
Whose deaths does Cross feel responsible for?
Lemon and Kiowa
Dobbins and Lavender
Lavender and Lemon
Kiowa and Lavender
4
of 5
Who replaces Rat Kiley as the company medic?
Dave Jensen
Mark Fossie
Bobby Jorgensen
Elroy Berdahl
5
of 5
Who serves as O'Brien's father figure during the war?
Norman Bowker
Curt Lemon
Mitchell Sanders
Dave Jensen
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Analysis of Major Characters Quick Quiz
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