Lieutenant Jimmy Cross

Paper Summary:

The paper presents the thesis that Tim O'Brien's "The Things They Carried" depicts Jimmy Cross' journey from boyhood to manhood and reveals a character marked by youth's naivete, unshared love, war, death and the feeling of guilt. The paper discusses the common features he shares with other soldiers regarding his young age, his lack of experience and his misinterpretation of the war. The paper also considers the differences between Jimmy Cross and the other soldiers, Martha's mark on Lieutenant Jimmy Cross and how Lieutenant Cross copes with the death of Ted Lavender.

Outline:
Abstract
Similarity to other soldiers
Differences between Jimmy Cross and the other soldiers
Martha's mark on Lieutenant Jimmy Cross
Lieutenant Cross' coping with the death of Ted Lavender

From the Paper:

"The Things They Carried is the first of a series of short stories that depict soldiers' lives during war times. The stories are based on author Tim O'Brien's own experience with war and his own charter is sometimes included in part of the writings. The short story revolves around a platoon of soldiers fighting in Vietnam and the things they carry with them (not only the actual things but also what they carry in their mind)."

Sample of Sources Used:

• O'Brien, T., The Things They Carried, Broadway, December 29, 1998
• Nielson, J., Warring Fictions: American Literary Culture and the Vietnam War Narrative, University Press of Mississippi, December 1998
• Talbott, J.E., Soldiers, Psychiatrists and Combat Trauma, Journal of Interdisciplinary History, Volume 27, Number 3, 1997

More papers on Lieutenant Jimmy Cross:

• Dissertation or Thesis # 97108 : "Jimmy Carter"
• Essay # 73530 : "Jimmy Hoffa's Legacy"
• Book Review # 90310 : "The Cross of Christ"

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