The Things They Carried

Chapter 19: Analysis Questions

While reading the chapter, focus on the elements of craft commonly found in prose literature,
while also using the following questions to help guide your analysis and annotations. Then
answer each of the following questions in at least 3-4 concise sentences.

DO NOT RESEARCH THESE ONLINE!

CHALLENGE YOUR INTELLECT AND DO THE WORK YOURSELF!

1. Examine the dual meaning of the chapter title, “Field Trip,” and then discuss the main theme
attached to one of those meanings (each meaning has a theme--so pick one!). Support your
analysis with a direct quote(s).
- The chapter title “Field Trip” has the meaning of being a childish carefree adventure. The
chapter title “Field Trip” also literally means a trip to a field. In this case the field of war.
O’Brien utilizes the dual meaning of the chapter title “Field Trip” in order to illustrate
that those who were not Veterans could not possibly understand the meaning behind
specific places revealing that Veterans are truly alone in trying to overcome the horrid
memories of war. This is seen through O’Brien and his daughter. O’Brien wanted to take
his daughter on an adventure around the world takes her to Vietnam. While in Vietnam
O’Brien chooses to show his daughter the field in which Kiowa dies. This field has a
large meaning for O’Brien because it is where he lost his “best friends, [his] pride, [his]
belief in [his]self as a man of some small dignity and courage”(176). He has lost his best
friend in this field and would always remember it. However, his daughter, Kathleen, is
unable to appreciate the field. Instead, she just complains about the smell and the
disgusting water. She has no idea of the sentimentality of this field for her father. While
O’Brien is immersed in his feelings, his daughter is disgusted and constantly asks, “Can
we go now?”(177). She has no interest in this field and is unaware of the event that took
place there many years ago. Through this situation, O’Brien reveals that those who did
not experience the war first-hand could not possibly understand the emotional connection
to specific sites and that Veterans are truly alone in trying to overcome their guilt and
horrid memories.

2. Discuss what O’Brien was expecting to accomplish by revisiting Vietnam and make a case for
his success or failure. Support your analysis with a direct quote(s).
- Through returning back to Vietnam, O’Brien was trying to accomplish honoring Kiowa’s
memory and is finally being released of his guilty. This is revealed when O’Brien takes
his daughter Kathleen to the field where Kiowa was killed. While there he “stripped
down to [his] underwear, took off [his] wristwatch, and waded in[to the water]” (177). He
wades into the water in the area he suspects Kiowa’s pack was found. While in the water
he brings the pair of moccasins that were found the night of Kiowa’s death and “wedge[s]
them into the soft bottom, letting them slide away”(178). The moccasins symbolize the
guilt that O’Brien has been carrying around with him since the death of Kiowa. By him
finally letting go and releasing the moccasins, this shows how he is finally forgiving
himself and letting go of his guilt. Through his visit to Vietnam, O’Brien was successful
in releasing his guilt. He makes this known through his last sentence in the chapter.
Before he gets into the Jeep he says, “It is finished”(179). This reveals that he has finally
forgiven himself and has finally let go of the guilty feeling that he has held for many
years. O’Brien is finally free and no longer feel guilty about the war. Unlike others, such
as his platoon mates, he is finally free of the burden and is light. But just because he let
go of his guilt, does not mean that he forgot all of the horrors that occurred in Vietnam.
Those sad memories may still haunt him but he will no longer be encompassed by guilt.
He will have finally conquered the guilt of the past.