Topic > Feeling Death in the Things They Carried by Tim O'Brien

War is often thought of as something that hardens a soldier. It makes a person stronger emotionally because they are taught not to show it and deal with it internally. People say that death in war is easier to handle because it happens for the right reasons and a person can distance themselves from the pain of losing someone. However, there is always a point where the pain becomes too real and it is difficult to maintain that distance. In doing so, the story challenges the idea that witnessing a traumatic event causes a numbing or blocking of feelings. Rat Kiley's progression of feeling began with an initial concern for the buffalo, turning into an angry killing of the animal, and then ending with a final acceptance of death. These outward displays of feelings suggested that witnessing the death of a close friend had emotionally involved him in the war. When the buffalo was initially taken in, Rat had a tender and caring mentality towards the buffalo. He showed his affection by stroking the buffalo's nose and offering food, which seemed like a natural and normal response to make to the animal that had just been welcomed. In a way, Rat was trying to make the buffalo a pet and use it to replace Curt as a friend. However, to most people, this was unusual for the typical soldier. The classic soldier was considered callous and indifferent. By displaying this kind of lovable characteristic, Rat went against the ideology of how a soldier reacts to war. A soldier should stay away from war and simply do the job entrusted to him without showing emotion. However, the mere fact that Rat showed some feeling suggested that death evoked feelings because his friend had just died and he was able... middle of paper... to express his emotions, made the situation more bearable. He allowed others to accept that he was cruel to the buffalo because he was taking out his own hurt and pain on the buffalo. People are more likely to sympathize more with Rat if they understand that he is suffering too. The story sheds light on how much war truly affects soldiers. He demonstrated how a soldier does not always have to be a detached and impassive person who contains all feelings and that it is natural for a person to show their feelings, even if they may not be immediately accepted by others. Ultimately, the story revealed that the effects of trauma do not always lead to complete avoidance and blocking of feelings. Instead, trauma can induce an outward display of emotions. Works Cited O'Brien, Tim. The things they carried. Boston: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, 2009. Print.