"The Things They Carried"

Definition

"The Things They Carried" is a collection of interconnected short stories written by Tim O'Brien. It depicts the experiences of American soldiers during the Vietnam War and explores themes such as memory, truth, and storytelling.

Related terms

PTSD (Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder): A psychological disorder that can develop after experiencing or witnessing traumatic events like war. It often involves symptoms such as flashbacks, nightmares, and anxiety.

Metafiction: A literary technique used by Tim O'Brien in which he blurs the line between fiction and reality by acknowledging his own role as an author within his stories.

Symbolism: A literary device used throughout "The Things They Carried" to represent abstract ideas or concepts through tangible objects or actions.