"The Things They Carried," is a Vietnam War fiction book by Tim O'Brien that depicts the physical and emotional burdens that men not only carry during their time in Vietnam but also years after leaving the war front. The book is a series of stories told with O'Brien as the main narrator. O'Brien chronicles the journey he takes with his unit, revealing his struggle for courage and his decision to commit to serving in the war. It is an innovative meditation on war, memory, imagination and the redemptive power of storytelling. O'Brien describes the variety of encounters he and Alpha Company experienced while in Vietnam. O'Brien also describes the various items carried by his fellow soldiers. Most of these things are physical objects such as pocketknives, dog tags, and matches. Other things men carried were burdens of emotional fear and guilt. O'Brien's numerous descriptions of what is carried on the shoulders of these men make the reader feel the weight of what these men were fighting for. This powerful writing makes the reader feel as if they too are walking alongside Alpha Company on the battlefield. The "things" that every man carries with him are literal and figurative. The physical load that every man carries supervises the emotional load. Henry Dobbins carries with him objects belonging to his girlfriend that symbolize his desire for comfort and affection. Jimmy Cross also carries the emotional burden of longing seen in letters from Martha, a college sweetheart, who seemingly will never give the love and affection Cross desires. O'Brien hints at the burdens carried after the war in "Love" and "Notes". War survivors may have the gift of seeing the sun shine every day, but every day they are also reminded of the pain and confusion that made Americans wary of government decisions. Even though the war is long over, Americans are still divided on the issues that emerged during this period. Overall the story provides a personal and emotional look at the Vietnam War. The main theme is that of transport, which is carried forward throughout the text and introduced for the first time in the title. The comprehensive and extensive lists of items carried by the men sometimes seemed dull and irrelevant, but the reader realizes that the humanity of each soldier is emphasized. This idea is further supported by the addition of ordinary carried items such as cigarettes, chewing gum and wristwatches. The metaphor of transportation, ultimately, is crucial to the work, since it gives the idea that the things we carry, inanimate or emotional, help each of us to move forward with life even when what may seem like the most challenging challenge is thrown at us. difficult..