Freestyle Blog Entry Five

"What they Carried" by Tim O'Brian is a story about the day to day details of an average American combat soldier in Viet Nam. Starkly written, you indeed find out what the title implies, although you may not be ready for the reality of what a combat soldier carries. The most poinant part of this short story is the main charcters destruction of photos from his love interest back home. He blames himself and his attraction to this woman as the reason he was distracted when one of his men was killed. In an attempt to relieve his anguish and guilt he burns her letter and pictures vowing to never again let love come between he and his mission, to lead men combat.