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.