19. The Things They Carried: Field Trip~Apostrophe

During this chapter, O'Brien includes an Apostrophe. He revisits the land of his soldier years to return something to a friend that died for his country. Tim says some last words to his buddy. This signifies that although a person may physically be dead, spiritually, they are fully alive. The few words that Tim says to his fallen soldier are a way for him to cope with this awful memory. Again, O'Brien brings the humanness out of his characters. This apostrophe also signifies that Tim has not yet put his friend in the past. He is struggling with letting go to what has happened twenty years in the past.

20. The Things They Carried: Night Life~Change

This chapter demonstrates that every soldier goes through some sort of life changing alteration. The war changed the soldiers and it usually wasn't for the best. The crazy sickness that Rat experienced symbolizes the change that occurs with just about every soldier. War plays with their emotions. It gives them a sort of sickness that is unexplainable. These sicknesses received by the soldiers connect with the unexplainable circumstances of war. Many things just happen. There is no explanation. One simply just has to take it as it is.

18. The Things They Carried: Good Form~Anaphora

O'Brien uses anaphora as an emphasis in this chapter. I can...I can...I can...These three sentences emphasize the ability to improve oneself. Tim obviously has the drive and mental ability to overcome any difficult obstacles. Later, he will be able to physically attack these obstacles. He has the motivation now, which will help him plan for the future. Through his use of anaphora, Tim calls attention to the things which he wishes to improve in himself. He is motivated and the repetition proves his repeated desire to overcome this difficult circumstance. O'Brien successfully emphasizes his strong inspiration to the reader.

16. The Things They Carried: Notes~Static Character

Throughout the course of this book, the character Norman fails to change much. He keeps the same personality more or less. This eventually leads to his downfall. He is unable to cope with life after the war. He doesn't change or adapt to a different life. He carries the same attitude about life with him throughout his years in the war and long after. He wallows in his own self-pity because he hasn't undergone a deep change. Everything at home is unchanged and he is unchanged from the war.

17. The Things They Carried: In the Field~Flashback

Throughout this book, O'Brien includes many flashbacks. This flashback has special significance. It is an account that explains to the reader that its such an important story, that there is a need to regress. Similarly, in this chapter, the lieutenant finds the need to regress and retrieve the body of their fallen soldier. This flashback reveals a lot about the characters as well. They have changed throughout the course of the book. Although they may laugh and joke to hide their true feelings, they are still dedicated to helping their fellow buddies. They will stop at nothing to help out those who they've come to know and love.

15. The Things They Carried: Speaking of Courage~Indirect Characterization

O'Brien indirectly tells us the character of Norman throughout this chapter. The author describes a particular story about Norman. From this story, the reader is able to learn who Norman exactly is. The reader is given permission to make their own decisions about the character of Norman. O'Brien also gives the reader a chance to better understand him through the use of indirect characterization. Because we are able to better understand the character of Norman, we are able to better understand the life during that time as well. This short, simple frame-story reveals a lot about the lives of the people and soldiers. Norman's character is an important addition in the book, and O'Brien emphasizes this through this chapter.

14. The Things They Carried: Style~local color

This chapter demonstrates the local color of vietnam. Although the local color is through the perspective of the soldiers, it still serves a purpose. A young girl in Vietnam is still able to find enjoyment out of dance even though her entire family has been murdered. This shows that the Vietnamese are not a people that are willing to give up on life too easily. Whether the young girl's dance was for enjoyment or part of a ritual, she was able to remain strong. This chapter also reveals the soldiers', discrimination to the people of vietnam. They make fun of the young girl even though she has lost so much. War takes the humanness out of a person sometimes.

13. The Things They Carried: Ambush~Anecdote

O'Brien includes this chapter as a small anecdote. This anecdote reveals more about Tim as a person. Through the use of this lit term, the reader is able to clarify the exact emotions that Tim experienced during this depressing moment in his life. The reader would not fully understand the complexity of emotion that Tim experienced without the use of this anecdote. The reader is able to see for himself that Tim did not simply kill a man. The situation itself is much more complicated. Although he has someone's blood on his hands, he did it because that's how he was trained. In life, everyone makes mistakes, but we have to learn to let go of the past.

12. The Things They Carried: The Man I Killed~Repetition

O'Brien tends to repeat himself a lot in this chapter. He repeats his war story of killing a man almost two times completely. This symbolizes the confusion he experienced. The picture of the man laying there and the memory itself continually replays in his mind. This horrific experience will never fully leave his mind just as it is now imprinted in the readers mind. The use of repetition is powerful for this part of the story. It represents that this could possible be the worst experience in O' Brien's life. Thus, there is a need to emphasize the story.

11. The Things They Carried: Church~Allusion

O'Brien includes the allusion Friar Tuck in this chapter. This allusion brings a religious twist to the story. It demonstrates that even though some of the soldiers may lack a religious background, they still survive by having some sort of faith. It is almost a necessity in their current situation. Friar Tuck represents the religious men that were practically the troops miracles. Although war has many horrid situations and stories, there is always that story involving a Friar Tuck. An unexplainable miracle. Every soldier has his separate beliefs. There's always a way to find religion in the worst situations.

10. The Things They Carried: Stockings~Symbol

The stockings in this chapter are a symbol. They symbolize life, luck, love and magic. Although I do find it odd that the soldier wore them around his neck in every battle, I understand it. The stockings give this soldier the emotions he needs to keep fighting. He practically has his girl with him in every battle for protection, inspiration and motivation. They are his good luck charm. They symbolize the desire of all the men to be with the one's they love. They cannot simply go off to war and leave all their memories at home. They need something tangible to hold on to that represents a greater meaning.

9. The Things They Carried: Sweetheart of the Song Tra Bong~Character Progression

Throughout this chapter, Mary Anne goes through an intense character progression. The girl first arrives in Vietnam a sweet and innocent child. She finds war life interesting and exciting, which demonstrates that she may not be quite so innocent. Then, she practically goes crazy. The participates with some of the soldiers in their duties, which further separates her from Mark. Before long, she shows that she has become one with the land. Mary Anne is almost an animal living and feeding in the wilderness. She becomes unrecognizable and can no longer live with human beings. War seems to change people in unexplainable ways.

8. The Things They Carried: The Dentist~Fear

For some, a trip to the dentist means clean teeth and a shiny smile, but for others it is pure torture. O' Brien included this short story in his book to help the reader relate to the story. Most people despise going to the dentist just as this soldier did. Maybe its the fear of the unknown. Not knowing whether you'll be forced to go under a painful operation for a cavity or route canal. A trip to the dentist in this scenario can be connected to war. In war, there is always the fear of the unknown. Soldiers have to deal with the fear that they may come near death several times in the next day or perhaps experience death itself.

7. The Things They Carried: How to Tell a True War Story~Poor Baby Buffalo

I found the story of the poor baby buffalo to be quite disturbing. This story greatly emphasizes the war. It doesn't matter if your completely innocent or just a child, war destroys all. On the other side, the soldier that killed the poor buffalo demonstrates the emotions that eat at a soldier's soul. Although the buffalo may have been completely sweet and innocent, no one is safe in a war zone. Its an ugly thing. War destroys innocence. The baby buffalo was simply at the wrong place at the wrong time just as many soldiers end up being or stepping in the wrong place at the wrong time.

6. The Things They Carried: Friends~Price of Friendship

Friendship sometimes comes at a price. In friendships, we all make promises. Whether you keep them or not that's on you. This book deals a lot with friendships. In war, I've found (through the help of this book) that its difficult to put yourself out there in a friendship knowing that your buddy may die any minute. On the other hand, its impossible to survive without the friendship of your fellow soldiers. Friendships keep the men alive and give them something to live for. Without someone they can talk to about anything, these men simply wouldn't be able to function. No human can fully live with all their emotions, thoughts, and feelings bottled up their entire life.

5. The Things They Carried: Enemies~Why Enemies?

Why do we have enemies? They clearly just make our lives more difficult. They put us in bad moods and bring out the worst in everyone. I guess because we're human and to be human is to sin and have enemies. Although, we know we are supposed to be kind to everyone, that never seems to work out. I feel that a world without enemies would be ten times better, even if life was a little more boring thereafter. Enemies bring stress, anger, sadness, and the need for revenge in our lives, which frankly just gives me a headache. O' Brien incorporated this chapter in his book to prove that everyone has enemies, whether we like it or not, and they simply cause more emotions in our lives. We don't quite have an answer as to why there are enemies in our world, just simply know and experience them.

4. The Things They Carried: On the Rainy River~The Creep Old Man

I feel that the old man served as a greater significance in this story. He was the motivation and drive for this young man to grow up and do what he had to do. The old man transformed the soldier-to-be into a man. He gave him the understanding that not everyone always likes what we have to do, but sometimes they just have to do it. The generous old man demonstrated to the young man that the world doesn't revolve around him. Sometimes, its necessary to put our life on the line for others. Although the old man was silent, he taught the young man a lot of life lessons. His silence was a lesson in itself because the boy learned to relax and realize that words aren't always necessary.

3. The Things They Carried: Spin~Emotions

Throughout this chapter, I noticed the many emotions explained by O'Brien. He describes anxiety mixed with peace. Also incorporated, is the importance of storytelling among the men. Storytelling is a way for the men to cope with their current situation. Not many people, could survive a war if they were constantly thinking about it. It would make a person go absolutely mad. Storytelling makes the whole experience more bearable for the soldiers. It binds them into a brotherhood or fraternity.

2. The Things They Carried: Love~Martha's Rejection

I found this short chapter of the book to be quite depressing. Why is Martha so cruel to a poor soldier who is dedicating his life to the country in a horrid war? Although, in a way, I am able to relate with her. Maybe she just doesn't like him, and no longer wants to lead him on and make it more painful for Jimmy. Martha's rejection for Jimmy can symbolize the pure evil of war. In a way, there relationship is similar to war. There are ups and downs, hopes and disappointments, happiness and pain. War is not healthy and neither was the relationship of Jimmy and Martha.

1. The Things They Carried: The Things They Carried

O' Brien gives the reader the sense that the soldiers weren't just physically carrying baggage. All the pain, emotions, and memories were also weight on a soldier's shoulders. O'Brien is telling us that no person that hasn't experienced war will never be able to understand the weight which they were forced to carry. Through this explanation, the author reveals a humanness to the soldiers. They suffer. Every human has to suffer in order to be classified as human. Its part of our nature. O' Brien brings the soldiers to life with their struggles early on in the book.

The Sun Also Rises: XX~My Final Reaction

The book itself was okay, but I felt that their was really no plot to it. The characters traveled around Europe (a lot) drinking (a lot) and their was problems within their relationships, but I was expecting something a lot more intense to happen as the book came to a close. I did like that the book was very cultural and accurately expressed life in Spain as well as Paris. I liked how Hemingway included foreign words within the chapters to bring the reader into the book. Overall, I felt the book got a little boring and seemed to repeat the same actions and ideas over and over again. The Sun Also Rises did not keep my attention at times; however, some parts were interesting. Drinking was definitely a motif throughout the work, which got a little old. The book was alright, but the ending was a little disappointing.

The Sun Also Rises: Chapter XIX~ The End

I feel that the end of the story left the reader with the idea that Jake and Brett will get past whatever was stopping them before and form a closer relationship with eachother. Throughout the book, Mike's character has been a drunk and a person less than desirable as a husband. This foreshadowed that Brett would eventually leave him. Hemingway doesn't exactly pull the story together in a neat little bow. He allows the reader to analyze the information about the characters that they have learned throughout the book, and form a conclusion of their own. Hemingway gives the reader to end the story in whatever way which pleases them. I would like to think that Jake and Brett finally get together. Hemingway foreshadows this by putting both of their characters together at the end of the book.

The Sun Also Rises: Chapter XVIII~bullfighting

Throughout the second half of novel, bullfighting proves to be a common theme. In Spanish culture, bullfighting is a beautiful art form. For this reason, the group of characters find themselves very attracted to bullfighting. The bullfights in this book signify the fights and intensity withing the group of characters. Because bullfighting is also a beautiful thing, it signifies the great friendship between the group of friends. Just as Pedro Romero is friends with the bulls that he kills, so do the group of friends sometimes "kill" each other (their spirits, thier health, their dreams, wishes, and desires). In life, many times we hurt the people or things that we are most close to and help us be successful. Just as the bullfighter takes advantage of the bull's weaknesses, so do friends take advantage of eachother's weaknesses.

The Sun Also Rises: Chapter XVII~Friends Fighting

Throughout this chapter, it is apparent that Cohn was once the middleweight boxing champion of Princeton. He starts many "bar fights" with people that he considers his friends. First, he beats up Jacob because Jake, Mike and Cohn got into a little scuffle (over Brett, of course). Next, Cohn goes for the young bullfighter. Both of these men have had close relationships with Brett. Cohn's jealousy is the motivation behind these outbursts of physical anger. Cohn's physical attacks are not enough to break the fighting spirit of the young bullfighter, though. Cohn's outbreaks signify that jealousy can sometimes overtake our lives and break the relationships with the ones we are closest to.

The Sun Also Rises: Chapter XVI~Character Relationships

What is wrong with Brett? She seems to have a close relationship with every other character in the novel. First, she and Jacob kind of had a thing, but for some reason that didn't work out. Next, she moved to Cohn, taking a vacation with him to San Sebastian; although, later she hates Cohn. Finally, she has a thing for Pedro Romero, the young bullfighter (15 year age difference!). All the while, Brett is going to marry Mike. How does Mike feel about this? Is this foreshadowing that Brett will continue to move from man to man and never be able to settle down?

The Sun Also Rises: Chapter XV~Motivation

Throughout this book, Hemingway provides motivation for the characters actions. In Chapter fifteen, Mike becomes really jealous of Cohn because of his closeness with Brett, which gives him motivation to make a lot of the decisions that he does. Because of the rival between Mike and Cohn, the two characters make a lot of stupid decisions based on their want to get revenge. Brett is the motivation behing many of these two characters' actions. The motivation included in this story makes the characters real. The reader is able to better relate with each of the characters because Hemingway demonstrates the motivation behind their actions. Brett gives Mike and Cohn the motivation to drink (nonstop) as well as fight and beat people up. These actions add to the building tension between the group and lead to the motivation of other actions.

The Sun Also Rises: Chapter XIV~Mood

Hemingway leaves the reader with the idea that all is well at the end of Chapter fourteen. The chapter ends with the sentence, "You could not be upset about anything on a day like that." Hemingway includes this to prove the good time the group was having in Spain. They were able to better enjoy themselves than in Paris. This signifies that the characters are perhaps getting to know one another better, and for this reason are able to spend time with each other doing the things they love. The mood is carefree and content. There is more for the characters to do, see and experience in Spain; therefore, they are able to find enjoyment out of their time there. The mood in a story gives the reader knowledge of the characters feelings, emotions, and personalities.

The Sun Also Rises: Chapter XIII~Rising Action

Up to this chapter, Hemingway buids up to the plot through rising action. Nothing too new and exciting occurs. The characters are in Spain and trying to meet up with each other which causes some drama. The fact that Mike and Robert are not getting along well does not bode well for the group of friends. Spain seems to be the place that the characters like the best; however, they get into many quarrels over trivial things. Brett seems to be a common theme for the men to fight over and have jealousy for those who are close to her. Hemingway builds up the story a lot in order acclimate the reader to the characters. Through the rising action, we come to know more and more about the characters.

The Sun Also Rises: Chapter XII~ First POV

Hemingway uses first person point of view to tell this story. The story is told from the perspective of one of the characters, Jacob. By telling the story through this characters perspective, Hemingway better relates the reader to the story. The reader is able to observe his feelings, emotions, and better understand Jake's character. Jake is a complex character, so naturally Hemingway would write The Sun Also Rises in his perspective. First person point of view makes the reader feel like they are part of the story. Jake's character is also somewhat neutral, so basing the story off of his point of view allows the reader to see both sides of the story equally. Hemingway crafts this story with the reader in mind.

The Sun Also Rises: Chapter XI~ Details

Hemingway includes many details in this Chapter. He describes the countryside of Spain without leaving out anything. Bill and Jake see the "rolling green plain" and observe the "heat-baked mountains" from their car. Hemingway incluedes a plethora of details to demonstrate that the characters are fond of Spain. Spain is not like Paris, in that the characters are displeasured by Paris. Bill and Jake are in Spain to do something that they greatly enjoy. Fishing. Because they find joy in this vacation and trip, Hemingway uses many details that flatter the land of Spain. Bill and Jake want to be in Spain and the descriptions give the reader an idea of the beauty of Spain.

The Sun Also Rises: Chapter X~ Materialistic

I have come to the conclusion that Jake is a materialistic and jealous person. In this chapter, he says that, "...I prayed that I would make a lot of money..." All of the characters' lives in some way seem to revolve around money. Maybe because they spend their entire day drinking, dining, and socializing with friends. Jake is also very jealous of Robert Cohn and his new "relationship" with Brett. Jake does not care for Robert, and describes "enjoying Cohn's nervousness" in this chapter. Jake says he is a religious man, but I find this hard to believe in most parts of the story. He doesn't seem to do a lot of praying (unless its for materialistic desires) and he spends his days drinking, being jealous of what he can't have, and wasting his money.

The Sun Also Rises: Chapter IX~Travel

Again with the traveling. Do these people ever stay home? I guess being a writer is a fairly flexible career, but still it seems that these people never settle down. Brett and Mike are talking about taking a vacation to Spain to meet Bill and Jake on their fishing trip, but Brett just went on a vacation with Robert. I'm not quite sure why she chose to go on a vacation with Robert in the first place, but maybe she just wanted to go to another place. It seems like a fairly popular motif throughout the book. Traveling could signify the characters continually trying to run away from their problems. It would be quite difficult to run away from their problems though, when they continue to travel with the same people that cause the drama.

The Sun Also Rises: Chapter VIII~Jobs??

It seems that in this story, none of the characters have real jobs. They simply run all around Europe on vacations, eating, drinking, and socializing with each other. Where are they getting the money to eat out for every meal and drink so much at night? Jacob always insists on paying for things, but he never seems to work very much. He's always making breakfast, lunch, and dinner plans. Lady Ashley would have money through her title, but the rest of the men in this story do not have good titles. Jacob has a job, but it seems that he's never really working on anything. Many of the other men are writers of some sort, but they never write. They simply drink and vacation. I don't understand how they're able to drink as much as they do without a good source of income.

The Sun Also Rises: Chapter VII~Confusion?

Throughout this chapter, Brett and her relationships with almost everybody continue to cause some confusion with me. She says she feels rotten, which I'm guessing was just an excuse to leave Jacob. Brett also says that she'll never see Jacob again. What did he do wrong? Brett seems to be making fairly rash decisions when it comes to relationships. I feel that her character along with her friends' characters are kind of lost themselves. They are all searching for something, but can't quite find it. I'm guessing that Brett will eventually see Jacob again.

The Sun Also Rises: Chapter VI~Reality TV?

This passage sort of reminded me of a reality TV show. Robert and Frances continue to fight about their trivial problems and relationship, which isn't working out. This same argument could be viewed in over half of the reality TV shows out there today. Just the other day, my sister was watching Keeping Up with the Kardashians and one of the girls on the TV was having a similar problem with her husband/boyfriend. Frances broadcasts her relationship issues to anyone and everyone who is around, which is the definition of reality TV shows, in my opinion. This part of the book is a little confusing with the different relationship issues of Robert and Jacob. Are Robert and Frances going to get married, or did this fight pretty much ruin that idea? What is Jacob going to do about his loneliness and feelings about Brett?

The Sun Also Rises: Chapter V~Imagery

Hemingway uses lots of imagery in order to paint a picture for the reader. "The horse-chestnut trees in the Luxemborg gardens were in bloom." This line includes many adjectives and details for emphasis. 'Luxemborg' brings attention to the setting. Hemingway creates imagery in nature through this sentence in the story because he wants to bring attention to the beauty in Paris. Although Jacob repeatedly says that he hates Paris, in reality it is a beautiful place. Jacob's thoughts of Paris are overshadowed by loneliness because he is continually rejected by Brett. Hemingway gives the reader more than just the opinion of Jacob in order to realize that Jacob is truly just depressed, which is blocking the beauty of life out of his thoughts.

The Sun Also Rises: Chapter IV~Foreshadowing

Hemingway foreshadows what may happen later on in the book through the line, "We kissed again on the stairs..." Jacob and Brett obviously have feelings for each other, but have too many fears, apprehensions, and/or something that is holding them back. I feel that this line foreshadows that at some point Brett and Jacob may, after years of debate, get together. Brett wants to be with Jacob; however, something is holding her back. Hemingway, alludes to the fact that there is a chance that the two will realize what is truly more important to them. Neither of them are able to let eachother go. On the other hand, neither Jacob or Brett are able to fully commit to one another. The fact that they are still attracted to each other foreshadows that the good will eventually outweigh the bad.

The Sun Also Rises: Chapter III~Diction

Hemingway uses a unique diction in this work. His diction includes words of the French language. By including the French words of poules, garcon, fiacre, and fine a l'eau, Hemingway brings the reader to Paris along with the other characters. This diction also keeps the reader active in paying attention to context clues to find the meaning of these foreign words. His diction calls attention to the setting and the characters of this particular work. Hemingway uses this diction to also bring out the dialect. The language of the dialect brings attention to the diction. Most of all, Hemingway uses this particular diction to emphasize the setting in Paris, France.

The Sun Also Rises: Chapter II~Allusion

Hemingway makes an allusion to "The Purple Land" in this chapter of The Sun Also Rises. In a way, this book mirrors the story. Jake Barnes continues to run away from his troubles. He despises Paris and desparately wants to take a vacation to some other country in hopes that he will lose his troubles and find a better way of life. Similarly, the character in "The Purple Land" continues to flee country after country in order to escape his troubles. In both stories, the main character has a special woman, but the character also has "mistresses." Hemingway included this allusion to bring attention to the plot of his own story. This allusion gives the reader a better understanding of the story itself.

The Sun Also Rises: Chapter I~Dialect

In Chapter I, it is evident that Hemingway uses a different dialect. He includes phrases such as "She's a swell girl" and "Don't get sore." This language is a little more dated and proves the time frame of the writing. Hemingway uses dialect in order to allow the reader to understand the work more fully. The use of this literary term gives the reader the knowledge of the background of the story. Through his use of dialect, Hemingway creates an abstract imagery. Dialect gives the reader the impression of the people, the time, and the setting. Hemingway paints a picture for the reader through the dialect that he has chosen.