Sunday, February 6, 2011

Question 5

In the title story, how do the things the men carry help define them as individuals? What are some of the more interesting items? Which "things" were unexpected? What would you carry if you went to war? Why?

30 comments:

  1. The things that the men carried included tangible things, as well as mental things. They all held guns, and such things such as rations, first aid kits, and photos of loved ones. Some of the other things are guilt and shame. Some of the interesting items are tranquilizers, moccasins, and mine detectors. If I went to war I would carry my equipment as well as some food and water.

    Primary post,
    Stuart

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  2. Primary post
    The things they carried were some terrible things, this showed the courage that the men had. Not only to enlist themselves in the war ti begun with, but to carry these harmful things on their backs. The men didn't only carry items to protect themselves, but to protect their fellow soldiers. If I went to war, i would make sure I had plenty of water, food, and protective gear for me and the rest of my troops. It's important to not only keep yourself protected, but the people around you. If the people around you become victims, so do you.

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  3. Primary
    The things that men carried definately defined their character in some way. For example inf someone carried soap and tooth paste they were probably a hygienist. (tsall is the man). What surprised me was probably the emotion things they carried such as guilt if they had killed a man or not saved one of their fellow soldiers. If I was a soldier the things I would carry would be mainly things to remind me of my loved ones at home. Photos and letters would give me the strength to fight through this time and do my best to get home safe and sound.
    Dclicks

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  4. Primary comment

    The things the men carried defined them because it showed their
    personality. For example Kiowa was a devout baptist, so he carried a
    new testament, Jimmy cross carried letters and pictures or Martha
    because he loved her.  Also dave Jensen cared about hygiene so he
    carried soap, a toothbrush, and toothpaste. Some things that were
    unexpected were that very few of the men carried underwear. Also
    unexpected was Norman bowler carried a thumb. Something else
    unexpected was lee strunk carried tanning lotion, even though I don't
    know when he would use it. If I went to war I would bring pictures
    like most of them men did. I would also bring hygiene things like Dave
    Jensen. Lastly I would bring things for amusement like a ball or some
    cards.
    Catherine Carlson

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  5. I agree with Dom. The main things that I would carry are the things that reminded me of home, because that is what I would be focused on if I was in war, making it home. I would be the most important thing to me.
    Secondary post,
    Stuart

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  6. PRIMARY POST: Some of the things that the men carried showed their character, or their personality, like the emotions they carried around. Some silicate felt guilty or depressed about the fact that they've killed people, that would show that they're sympathetic about the fact that they ended someones life. Other things that they carried toothpaste, and one guy even carried dope. Personally I don't know hoe they would get dope where they are. But, one guy did. I think I would bring pictures of my family and friends. And hygienic things like toothpaste and a toothbrush, stuff like that.

    Paige

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  7. Primary Post- The things that the soldiers carried represent themselves. Some of the things they carried have special meaning to themselves. Lt. Jimmy Cross brought letters of his girlfriend with him. Kiowa carried his grandfather's hatchet. Rat Kiley carried comic books. One item that was unusual was the thumb that Norman Bowker carried. If I went to war I would carry photos of my friends and family.

    Michelle Pavao

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  8. PRIMARY:
    The things soldiers carried reminded them of who they really were. Some carried accual items with them such as letters and Bibles. There were also the unordinary items such as a man's severed thumb. But there was also the mental things they brought with them. Some carried courage. Other carried fear. Some soldiers carried hope. But in the end, what they carried made them stronger. It gave them the strength to go on.
    Mike Lockney

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  9. The things they carried did define them as individuals; because many of the things were simply a mental reminder for themselves. A thumb? Condoms? Tanning lotion? When are they going to use any of these? They simply bring them to retain their mental sanity. To remind themselves of what they left behind and what, hopefully, they will be able to return to one day. I would probably do the same. Of course I'd bring pictures of my loved ones and such, then some useful things (cards, maybe a bible) and then as many metaphoric things as I could fit. E.g., a CD player, aanndd massive headphones, aanndd my iPod. And other random stuff that defines me, just to have.

    PrImArY pOsT,,, sTaThIs

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  10. Primary:
    The things the men carried helped define them but they were not all things that you could physically touch or see. These things helped define them becuase if a person is carrying around something while they are fighting a war it is clearly important to them. Some soldiers carried moccasins, photos, and first aid kits. Non tangible things that most of the soldiers carried were the guilt of killing another man or the fear of one of their friends being killed or even the fear of being killed themselves. If I was a soldier I would carry around pictures of my family and other people I loved because I know that I would miss them very much. I would also carry around a game like checkers or chess. Lastly I would carry around food and water to keep me alive.

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  11. Primary
    For example if someone carried a gun and a badge the would most likely be a cop. emotional things they carried such as guilt if they had killed a man or not saved one of their fellow soldiers. If I was a soldier the things I would carry would be mainly things to remind of my accomplishments and other achievements. Photos and letters would give me the strength to fight through this time and do my best to get home safe and sound.The things that men carried definately defined their character in some way

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  12. The things the men carried represent the all the men in different ways. Most of them brought belongings that had emotional meanings behind it. Some men brought belongings from their girlfriends and other from friends and family and others are brought stuff for themselves. Knowing that they had something from their loved ones, in my opinion, game them strength to go on. Some brought Bibles and cards and one of them brought their girlfriends underwear. Dan Barrera Primary post

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  13. Primary Post
    Everyone carried many things to describe their personality. Some of the characters just brought pictures of their loved ones and others brought cards, balls, and activities for amusement. There were may interesting things that the characters in this book brought. Some of the things included a new testament, moccasins, and a thumb. An unexpected thing would have to be the thumb. If u went to war I would bring pictures, stationary set, cards, a baseball and a frisbee.

    Kelly

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  14. Primary
    For example if someone carried a gun and a badge the would most likely be a cop. emotional things they carried such as guilt if they had killed a man or not saved one of their fellow soldiers. If I was a soldier the things I would carry would be mainly things to remind of my accomplishments and other achievements. Photos and letters would give me the strength to fight through this time and do my best to get home safe and sound.The things that men carried definately defined their character in some way

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  15. Everything they had was things they already before war. They brought it for a reason. They obviously had strong meaning to them and they were a large part of them. So these are really important.

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  16. Secondary, in response to Dan.
    I concur whole-heartedly.
    While many of the things seem useless to us, as if they only yake up space, they have emotional significance to the soldiers, reminding them of who they really are. This pushes them to fight as hard as they can and make it home safe, which is their ultimate goal.

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  17. I agree with what you are saying but I als think the things how how they are in situations. For example the guy who varied dope, but him having it it showed he was bad at handeling stressful situations.

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  18. Sean Hindle
    Primary post
    The things the men carry define them and what field of war they specialize in. For example, the medic carries around antibacterical wash, band aids, stitches, and knowlege of medical history. This defines him as someone who stays back in heavy battles because of the lack of guns and artillery. If ever went to war i would carry similar items like pictures, a tooth brush, and a dog tag. The only thing different is that u would carry around less personal items with me in fear of loosing them.

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  19. Primary Post - The things that the men carried with them, in a way, represents themselves. How Kiowa had a bible with him and moccasins because he's Native American and he was a Baptist. Jimmy Cross carried his love for Martha and that shows he loved her. Though, after Ted Lavender died, Jimmy Cross shaped up and won't let his love get in the way, of him being responsible for his men anymore. Other things they carried with them are feelings. Courage, dignity, shame, love, etc. If I went to war, I would bring pictures, water, and maybe pen and paper for drawing when we're not doing anything.

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  20. Secondary Post to Catherine
    I agree with Catherine's post about how Norman Bowker carried a thumb. I don't get why he wanted to cut off the boy's thumb and save it for himself. It seems weird and gross for a dead thumb to be in your pocket.

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  21. PRIMARY POST:
    The things they carried define the soldiers as indiviuals, rather than units. It defines them because it makes the them different based on each persons experiences in the pre war life. Also because of their personality and cultures. Tranquilizers were quite interesting, as well as moccasins. If I were in The war, I would have carried headphones, an iPod, or cd player, and before I left I would've downloaded or purchased countless albums.

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  22. Secondary post- I agree with Stuart that the things that the soldiers carried are not all tangible. Guilt and shame are two of the mental items that they could carry. Hope can also be a mental item that the soldiers carry. Hope could be hopefulness of the war ending or going home.

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  23. Secondary
    I would mainly carry the things that reminded me of the loved ones at home. But, I would also agree with RJ and carry around me accomplishments. I'd be proud of what I've done and keep them for memories. Not all memories of war will be good, actually most memories of war will be bad. This on the other hand will show the good things about war, the things that help me get through the tough times and what I did to help my country.

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  24. Primary response:
    the things men carried in the story defined them as an individual by the personal objects they brought as well as the certain gun or first aid they carried. Each thing was either a significant item or a war item each individual had at least a few things that differed from everyone else's belongings. The things they carried represented as a person in a way it made them different from everyone else. Some of the things men carried were stuff like photographs, special items and things that made them feel close to home in a way. The men also carried emotional baggage with them such as guilt and sorrow.

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  25. Secondary: I agree mike. I think the mental things they carried made them stronger in the end. Also, I agree with paige that some of the things they carried represented their peronalities

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  26. In response to Shannon, I agree with the points of emotional things the men carried. Emotional baggage the men carried is a huge part of them. Guilt played a big role in how the men felt about the war and everything going on around them.

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  27. Primary post:

    The weapons that the men carried shows how brave they are. There were a lot of interesting weapons. For example, the tranquilizers were one of the most interesting to me. If I were to go to war, I'd make sure I have plenty of water and food for myself and for the other soldiers. I'd also make sure I have photos of my family and friends to look at when I miss them.

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  28. Secondary Post:
    I agree with what Onaje said. The soldiers definitely carry around things that remind them of home and relate to them. I would carry pictures and my ipod.
    Sarah Hood

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  29. Primary Post:
    The things the men carried said a lot about them. They carried physical and emotional things. For example, Henry Dobbins carries his girlfriend’s pantyhose and with them, the need for love and comfort. The things that were unexpected are the thumb and the moccasins. I would carry pictures of my friends and family to remind me of home. Also, i would carry my ipod,a toothbrush, books, etc.
    Alex

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  30. Secondary Post:
    I agree with mike because everything that the soldiers carried made them learn new things and grow stronger. Also, they carried things that they could look back at and remind them of who they are. For example, they carried pictures and letters.

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