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Search all of SparkNotes
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Suggestions
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A Tale of Two Cities
Hamlet
Heart of Darkness
Julius Caesar
Wuthering Heights
Shakespeare
white
No Fear Shakespeare Translations
Shakespeare Study Guides
Shakespeare Life & Times
Glossary of Shakespeare Terms
Literature
white
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
Economics
Film
Health
History
Math
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Physics
Poetry
Psychology
Short Stories
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US Government and Politics
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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”
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Full Book Summary
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Character List
Tim O’Brien
Jimmy Cross
Mitchell Sanders
Kiowa
Mary Anne Bell
Norman Bowker
Elroy Berdahl
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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
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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
"How to Tell a True War Story" Quiz
Quizzes
"How to Tell a True War Story" Quiz
1
of 5
Whom does Rat Kiley write a letter to?
His wife
O'Brien
His children
Lemon's sister
2
of 5
What was Lemon doing when he was killed?
Playing with a grenade
Digging a foxhole
Taking a nap
Eating breakfast
3
of 5
What does Kiley shoot?
A sniper
A water buffalo
A fellow soldier
A pregnant woman
4
of 5
What is Jensen doing while retrieving Lemon's body?
Crying
Singing a song
Complaining
Saying a prayer
5
of 5
What does O'Brien say to the woman about his story?
He wishes it weren't true.
He wants her to finish it for him.
He wishes it were a love story.
He thinks it needs more jokes.
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