How does the author convey meaning in the following excerpt? Write 250-350 words.
Pages 52-54
In “The Things They Carried”, O’Brien uses rhetorical questions to convey the temptations
of taking the simple way out of a crisis and explains the narrator’s mindset of doubt. The
narrator, Tim, questions his freedom, hoping to escape from the war and from his frightening
thoughts of betrayal and being a disappointment. For example, “What would you do? Would you
jump? Would you feel pity for yourself? Would you think about your family and your childhood
and your dreams and all you’re leaving behind? Would it hurt? Would it feel like dying? Would
you cry, as I did?” (54). O’Brien uses rhetorical questions to show the audience his conflicts and
debating his morality. Tim was questioning his morals, debating if he should jump into the river
and cross the Canadian border or become a role model for his family and country. O’Brien uses
rhetorical questions to portray the narrator’s mentality. He shows every single question that pops
up in the narrators’ head during that moment which helps express Tim’s feelings in the setting.
Tim feels helpless being near the Canadian river since the temptation of escape is calling out to
him. O’Brien uses repetition with the words “I couldn’t”, to portray his doubt and uncertainty
when he thinks about escaping. “I couldn’t decide, I couldn’t act, I couldn’t comport myself with
even a pretense of modest human dignity” (54). Individuals want something they can’t have,
when the opportunity comes it drives them to take the simple path. Here, Tim decides to not
escape and stays to fight for the war, which was a tough decision, with him not being pro war.
O’Brien shows the process of decision-making for making tough decisions. The paragraph ends
with a juxtaposition, “All I could do was cry. Quietly, not bawling, just the chest–chokes” (54).
O’Brien contradicts the two words “Quietly”, and “Bawling”. He expresses Tim’s feelings as
he’s crying silently when his thoughts are screaming at him. Throughout the whole prompt,
O’Brien shows repetition with the word “cry”, Tim’s feelings are the primary focus in this
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