The Importance of the Title in Tim O’Brien’s “The Things They Carried” In his short story, “The Things They Carried,” Tim O’Brien introduces a First lieutenant named Jimmy Cross, who is commanding a group of soldiers at war. Lieutenant Cross is obsessed with a woman named Martha. He carries her letters, pictures, and a pebble she has sent. These distractions makes Lieutenant Cross forget his mission and consequently a private is shot …showed first 75 words of 551 total…

…showed last 75 words of 551 total…the soldiers. The author explores their youth and weaknesses. The Theme fo cowardice is a bigger experience in wartime than bravery in this short story. The title also focuses on the physical, emotional, and psychological burdens that the soldiers carry. This short story showed how soldiers are not always tough and brave when it comes to war. Sometimes the emotional baggage soldiers carry can distract them from their mission or hindered their authority. Number count= 582