The Things They Carried" by Tim O'Brien describes "things" that are carried by soldiers in Vietnam. These "things" are material necessities, desires, and intangible feelings, memories, and worries. The items that each soldier carries vary depending on position, physical stature and individual tastes. These items, both tangible and intangible are described in great detail including the weight of each item, which is of great importance. The soldiers are constantly walking and must be able to carry the weight of these items sometimes hours at a time. Although it seems that the weight of these items could sometimes be almost too much to bear, the weight of the intangible fears, thoughts, and emotions are more of a burden to the soldiers. At some points during their march, the soldiers sometimes leave behind an item that he feels is no longer needed or wanted. Often this is to ease the amount of weight being carried. However, unlike these items that can so easily be tossed away, the weight of the intangible items is not as easily discarded.
             O'Brien alternates between narrative passages and basic descriptions of the items that each soldier carries. O'Brien is very precise in his descriptions and seems to be taking inventory of what is being carried, "As a first lieutenant and platoon leader, Jimmy Cross carried a compass, maps, code books, binoculars, and a .45-caliber pistol that weighed 2.9 pounds fully loaded"(1104). O'Brien gives only straightforward descriptions in these segments and the writing is void of emotion, "they all carried steel helmets that weighed five pounds including the liner and camouflage cover"(1103). When describing the intangible things, however, the descriptions are much more elaborate, "Lieutenant Jimmy Cross humped his love for Martha up the hills and through the swamps"(1104). "He carried a strobe light and the responsibility for the lives of h...