The passage from ‘The Things They Carried’ is primarily focused on a dream regarding escape from the war. The passage is comprised of two solid blocks of prose including one enormous sentence with unconventional punctuation. Symbolism is used to great effect in the prose with special emphasis on falling and birds. O’Brien employs various literary techniques to create a giddy, dreamlike tone in the passage. Powerful themes are presented includingthe desire of release and the inability to rid oneself of blame.The passage gives insight into the pure and innocent psyches of the soldiers which are normally hidden through gruff exteriors.
The structure of the passage is set as two almost solid paragraphs with very little form and shape. This physical density allows the reader to appreciate the immensity of the prose and becomeengrossed in the flowing movement of it.The initial paragraph is broken in the centre by an italicised sentence which deviates from the informal flowing style used previously to a coarse colloquial one. This serves to give the piece a sense of balance and symmetry while also reminding the reader that even in this ethereal vision the soldiers are still very much human. Partway through the initial paragraph one unusually large sentence begins making up the bulk of the passage. This creates a graceful, fluid tone that contributes to the dreamlike feel of the prose. This is enhanced by frequent use of dashes and commas which give the reader respite while not breaking the surreal grasp of the passage.
The excerpt employs various uses of symbolism throughout its whole. The first of which are the ‘jumbo jets’ that transform into ‘screeching’ ‘sleek silver birds.’ These planes in particular are the emergency vehicles that are an escape out of Vietnam for self-wounded soldiers. They are replaced by birds as fowl are a symbol of true freedom. ‘Flying’ and ‘lightness’ are also repeatedly used symbolically through the prose. Weight and the things they carried are a focus of the chapter however on these ‘freedom birds’ the ‘weights fall off’ leaving them ‘naked’, ‘light and free.’ This powerful imagery symbolises not only the physical release of their ‘burdens’ but their emotional baggage as well such as the fear of death. The soldiers are then describe to ‘fall higher and higher’ to where there were ‘no burdens.’ Falling is used metaphorically for release from the pain and hardship of the Vietnam warzone as in Ted Lavender’s death prior in the chapter.
O’Brien takes advantage of multiple literary techniques to create a flowing lightheaded mood to the prose. The most striking method of this is the author’s powerful use of repetition throughout the prose. The soldiers fly ‘beyond duty, beyond gravity’ in a ‘kind of fleeing, a kind of falling.’ This repetition creates a sense of movement in the writing as the repetition links the phrases together and places emphasis on them. The prose has few full stops in it and many dashes which leave the reader short of breath with a ‘giddy bubbling in the lungs’. This allows the O’Brien to establish an empathetic link between soldier’s psychedelic ‘soaring’ venture and the readers experiencing the passage. This is enhanced by the tranquil diction employed throughout the prose. Words such as ‘buoyant, bright’ and ‘naked’ are used to create an atmosphere of dreamlike release from the weight of war.
Heavy and complex themes are dealt with throughout the prose. When Ted Lavender dies Jimmy Cross he blames himself for it regardless of the fact he had no control over it .This leads him to ‘burn Martha’s letters,’ the only thing he values and holds onto yet realises he cannot ‘burn the blame’. This demonstrates one of the main themes in the passage; how guilt sticks to those undeserving of it. Another key theme is the desire of even the most masculine and fearless man to be held and helped through difficult times. This is shown through the dream when the soldiers ‘weights fall off,’ allowing the men to ‘give themselves over to lightness,’ to ‘be carried,’ to ‘be truly borne.’ The men are pressured to keep their emotions in check yet this fantasy gives a projection of their inner state to the reader.
The prose amasses a complex and deeply woven knot of literary techniques to establish a powerful effect on the reader. The structure of the passage is physically dense and flows in a fluid motion due to large sentences. Symbolism is effectively used to enhance the visual imagery. A buoyant, giddy tone is established through repetition and ethereal diction. Weighty and intricate themes regarding guilt and masculinity are demonstrated through the emotions of the characters. The passage presents a surreal journey through the minds of soldiers in the Vietnam warzone.