Primarily, Tim O'Brien's "The Things They Carried" depicts the experiences of a Lieutenant and his men during the Vietnam war. As O'Brien develops the story, he embodies the idea that life at war inflicts psychological trauma and emotional conflicts within American soldiers. O'Brien develops the predominant theme by portraying the characters' internal conflicts, describing the characters' violent actions, and by displaying symbols.
             To develop the theme, O'Brien portrays the characters' internal conflicts while serving in Vietnam war. O'Brien introduces the main character, First Lieutenant Jimmy Cross, as a man deeply enamored with Martha. Narrating the story, Tim O'Brien states, "he loved [Martha] more than anything, more than his men, and now Ted Lavender was dead"(paragraph 11). Therefore, this statement makes evident Lt. Cross's preponderant sorrow and unbearable guilt he burdens as a result of Ted Lavender's death. Moreover, the soldiers feel the desperate necessity to suppress their deepest fears. During dangerous times, the soldiers temporarily panic at the thought of death. Nonetheless, after the violent attacks, "awkwardly, the men... reassemble themselves, first in private, then in groups, becoming soldiers again" (paragraph 65). In tune with O'Brien's, the soldiers at war have an unspoken need to act brave, to maintain composure, and to prevent fright from saturating them. Additionally, after Ted Lavender's death, Kiowa's, a devout Christian, moral values come into conflict. To effectively convey the theme of the story, O'Brien describes Kiowa's deepest thoughts by stating, "it was hard to feel anything...it seemed unchristian...but the emotion wasn't there" (paragraph 60). Ironically, as a religious individual, Kiowa appears emotionless at Ted Lavender's death. Undeniably, this proves that war indeed has negative effects in men, even in the most pious souls.
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