Soldier Action
 |
| Lot of 80 Green Plastic Army Men 2 Bulk Action Figures Toy Soldiers NEW | |
 |
$5.59 Time Remaining: 27d 23h 11m Buy It Now for only: $5.59 |
| 1 6 12 Soldier Action Figure parts lot 16 piece retracting mechanism GI Joe | |
 |
$5.00 Time Remaining: 1h 2m Buy It Now for only: $10.00 |
| Limited edition WW 2 Figure Commemorative Edition Action Soldier | |
 |
$10.00 Time Remaining: 4h 1m Buy It Now for only: $12.00 |
| Star Trek Cardassian Soldier action figure new in box | |
 |
$0.99 Time Remaining: 4h 16m |
| Small Soldiers 1998 Freakenstein Gorgonites Sealed Action Figure | |
 |
$100.00 Time Remaining: 29d 1h 2m Buy It Now for only: $100.00 |
| Star Trek Jem Hadar Soldier action figure new in box | |
 |
$0.99 Time Remaining: 4h 22m |
| Lot 5 Pcs New Russian Soldiers Troopers Indiana Jones 375 Action Figure N9 | |
 |
$5.95 Time Remaining: 4h 53m |
| Lot of 432 Green Plastic Army Men 2 Bulk Action Figures Toy Soldiers NEW | |
 |
$21.95 Time Remaining: 28d 5h 54m Buy It Now for only: $21.95 |
| GI JOE ACTION SOLDIER MASTERPIECE EDITION BOOK BLACK | |
 |
$24.95 Time Remaining: 5h 51m |
| OLD MATTEL TOY ARMY WAR SOLDIER ACTION FIGURES PRINT AD ORIG VINTAGE 1970s RARE | |
 |
$9.95 Time Remaining: 6h 57m |
| DRAGON 16 Action Figure 70112 GERMAN SOLDIER AFRICA ARMY UNIFORM SUIT DA32 | |
 |
$4.99 Time Remaining: 27d 18h 5m Buy It Now for only: $4.99 |
| HUGE LOT TOY SOLDIERS Army Men Military Action Figures TANKS Matchbox Cars BOATS | |
 |
$9.99 (1 Bid) Time Remaining: 7h 44m |
| XB16 10 1 6 Action Figure Brown Hat TOY SOLDIER STORY K | |
 |
$0.99 Time Remaining: 7h 52m |
| Archer Small Soldiers Talking Action Figure 12 | |
 |
$16.50 Time Remaining: 8h 39m |
| original Hasbro Jurassic Park GI Joe Mercenary Soldier 4 Action Figure 10cm | |
 |
$8.99 Time Remaining: 8d 8h 3m Buy It Now for only: $8.99 |
| Lot 5 Pcs Russian Soldiers Troopers Indiana Jones 375 Action Figure NEW N09 | |
 |
$4.95 Time Remaining: 9h 14m |
| 2 MINT 12 IN GI JOE ACTION FIGURES 1 SCUBA 1998 AND 1 TALKING SOLDIER | |
 |
$8.00 (1 Bid) Time Remaining: 9h 20m |
| 60 Piece Special Force Soldiers Combat Force vs Villains Action Figures Set | |
 |
$25.00 Time Remaining: 17d 12h 59m Buy It Now for only: $25.00 |
| SW38 STAR WARS GALACTIC HEROES HOTH REBEL SOLDIER ACTION FIGURE | |
 |
$0.99 Time Remaining: 10h 12m |
| GI JOE action soldier US Army infantry ACTION FIGURE LOOSE | |
 |
$3.25 (4 Bids) Time Remaining: 11h 40m |
| Lot of 576 Green Plastic Mini Army Men 1 Inch Bulk Action Figures Toy Soldiers | |
 |
$14.95 Time Remaining: 25d 19m Buy It Now for only: $14.95 |
| lot 2 ww II Soldier army infantry DIGTAL FORCE ACTION FIGURE 1 18 loose e4g | |
 |
$7.61 (6 Bids) Time Remaining: 12h 6m |
| lot 2 ww II Soldier army infantry DIGTAL FORCE ACTION FIGURE 1 18 loose R5 | |
 |
$7.71 (8 Bids) Time Remaining: 12h 13m |
| MARVELS SKRULL SOLDIER THE AVENGERS 4 ACTION FIGURE WITH DOUBLE BLADE AXE | |
 |
$14.95 Time Remaining: 12h 37m |
| STAR WARS HOTH REBEL SOLDIER NEW IN BOX BY KENNER FREEZE FRAME ACTION SLIDE | |
 |
$2.36 Time Remaining: 2d 15h 34m Buy It Now for only: $2.36 |
| GETTYSBURG ACTION FIGURES | |
 |
$10.00 Time Remaining: 13h 9m Buy It Now for only: $12.00 |
| ADD TSR Action Figures Skeleton Soldiers of Sith | |
 |
$4.99 Time Remaining: 13h 28m Buy It Now for only: $10.99 |
| Gi Joe action soldier MIB | |
 |
$21.50 Time Remaining: 2d 7h 49m Buy It Now for only: $21.50 |
| Lot 5 Pcs Russian Soldiers Troopers 1 Pcs Indiana Jones Action Figure N9 | |
 |
$5.95 Time Remaining: 14h 19m |
| Lot 5 Pcs Russian Soldiers Troopers Indiana Jones 3 3 4 ACTION Figure N9 | |
 |
$4.99 Time Remaining: 15h 39m |
| 1990 TMNT TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES FOOT SOLDIER ACTION FIGURE TOY MOC SEALED | |
 |
$49.49 Time Remaining: 27d 21h 17m Buy It Now for only: $49.49 |
| Halo 3 action figure Series 1 Steel Spartan Soldier CQB BNIB New | |
 |
$9.76 Time Remaining: 18h 39m |
| Vintage 1965 Louis Marx JOHNNY WEST Cowboy Soldier 115 ACTION FIGURE CANTEEN | |
 |
$13.00 (7 Bids) Time Remaining: 21h 11m |
| Tony Stewart 44 1998 1 24 Shell Small Soldiers CW Bank | |
 |
$9.99 Time Remaining: 21h 18m |
| DRAGON 16 Action Figure US ARMY SOLDIER M60 GUNNER USMC SUIT UNIFORM DA31 | |
 |
$3.99 Time Remaining: 29d 7h 13m Buy It Now for only: $3.99 |
| T36 08 1 6 Action Figures Pistol w h Clip HOT TOYS CITY SOLDIER STORY | |
 |
$4.99 Time Remaining: 21h 58m |
| Lot 5 Pcs Russian Soldiers Troopers Indiana Jones 3 3 4 Action Figure M09 | |
 |
$5.99 Time Remaining: 23h 32m |
| Star Wars Legacy Collection QUARREN SOLDIER BD No 15 BD15 Action Figure | |
 |
$11.99 Time Remaining: 28d 20h 43m Buy It Now for only: $11.99 |
| GIJoeVintage Action Soldier Fatigue Pants 1964 Hasbro Japan | |
 |
$4.99 Time Remaining: 1d 1h 23m |
| COMBAT FORCE 118 Action Figure Soldier INFANTRY BATTALION M24 SNIPER Model 18 F | |
 |
$0.99 Time Remaining: 1d 1h 59m |
| Action Figure Lot 15 Figures super Heroes and Soldiers GI Joe | |
 |
$8.99 Time Remaining: 29d 7h 3m Buy It Now for only: $8.99 |
| 1998 Tony Stewart Home 44 Shell Small Soldiers 1 24 scale | |
 |
$35.00 Time Remaining: 1d 2h 14m Buy It Now for only: $45.00 |
| 1998 Bobby Labonte 18 Small Soldiers 124 scale Bank | |
 |
$35.00 Time Remaining: 1d 2h 18m Buy It Now for only: $45.00 |
| GI JOE TIMELESS ACTION SOLDIER EX++ CONDITION | |
 |
$8.99 (1 Bid) Time Remaining: 1d 3h 18m |
| Gi Joe ultimate soldier 12 inch 1 6 action figure sheriff clothes n weapons lot | |
 |
$22.99 Time Remaining: 29d 23h 58m Buy It Now for only: $22.99 |
| GI JOE 40th ANNIVERSARY ACTION SOLDIER FOOTLOCKER SET | |
 |
$26.00 (3 Bids) Time Remaining: 1d 3h 27m |
| GIJoe 40th Anniversary Action Soldier Command Post 14th In a Series MIB 16 | |
 |
$29.99 Time Remaining: 1d 3h 50m |
| 60 Piece Special Forces Police Soldiers vs Villains Action Figure Set | |
 |
$25.99 Time Remaining: 17d 13h 2m Buy It Now for only: $25.99 |
| RAMBO Vintage 1985 Coleco The Gripper villain army action figure soldier | |
 |
$8.00 Time Remaining: 1d 4h 44m Buy It Now for only: $12.00 |
| CRUZ PEDREGON SMALL SOLDIERS INTERSTATE 1 24 NHRA NITRO FUNNY CAR DIECAST | |
 |
$19.95 Time Remaining: 1d 5h 9m Buy It Now for only: $24.95 |
| NECA Gears of War 2 Lot of 4 COG Soldier Action Figure Loose | |
 |
$139.99 Time Remaining: 24d 8h 54m Buy It Now for only: $139.99 |
| 3 CIVIL WAR SOLDIERS OF THE WORLD ACTION FIGURES MIB | |
 |
$16.00 (4 Bids) Time Remaining: 1d 5h 57m |
| Gi Joe 40th anniversary Action Soldier 5th in series Military Police MIB | |
 |
$29.99 Time Remaining: 1d 5h 58m |
| Lord of the Rings Soldiers Scenes 3 Pack BS Action Figures ATTACK AT AMON HEN | |
 |
$9.99 Time Remaining: 1d 6h 13m |
| Lot of 144 Green Plastic Mini Army Men 1 Inch Bulk Action Figures Toy Soldiers | |
 |
$4.39 Time Remaining: 10d 11h 4m Buy It Now for only: $4.39 |
| Lord of the Rings Soldiers Scenes 3Pack BS Action Figures ATTACK AT WEATHERTOP | |
 |
$8.99 Time Remaining: 1d 6h 14m |
| GI JOE 3 3 4 Laser Artillery Soldier Grand Slam Action Figure 25th Anniversary | |
 |
$4.99 (1 Bid) Time Remaining: 1d 6h 48m |
| Fire Bending Soldier action figure Avatar the Last Airbender by Mattel | |
 |
$10.95 Time Remaining: 12d 23h 14m Buy It Now for only: $10.95 |
| The Ultimate Soldier Weapons Pack for Military Action Figures 12 Figures | |
 |
$5.65 (3 Bids) Time Remaining: 1d 7h 21m |
| GIJoeVintage Action Soldier Body Parts Head Painted Brown Hair 1964 | |
 |
$12.99 Time Remaining: 1d 7h 35m |
| National Defense American Soldier Action Figure Brand New | |
 |
$30.00 Time Remaining: 28d 21h 29m Buy It Now for only: $30.00 |
| GIJoeVintage Action Soldier Body Parts Head Painted Black Hair 1964 | |
 |
$12.99 (1 Bid) Time Remaining: 1d 7h 35m |
| GIJoeVintage Action Soldier Body Parts Head Painted Brown Hair 1964 | |
 |
$8.99 (1 Bid) Time Remaining: 1d 7h 35m |
| Yu Gi Oh Giant Soldier of Stone Action figure by MATTEL | |
 |
$9.74 Time Remaining: 1d 7h 55m |
| 65 Dreamworks Small Soldiers CHIP Action Figure Hasbro 1998 | |
 |
$9.99 Time Remaining: 2d 11h 12m Buy It Now for only: $9.99 |
| The Ultimate Soldier Weapons Pack for Military Action Figures 12 Figures | |
 |
$4.90 Time Remaining: 1d 8h 1m |
| Vintage GIJoeAction Soldier Tall Brown Combat Boots Original Hasbro | |
 |
$12.99 Time Remaining: 1d 8h 9m |
| DRAGON 16 ACTION FIGURE GERMAN INFANTRY SOLDIER M34 FORAGE CAP DA C 23 | |
 |
$2.49 Time Remaining: 27d 11h 9m Buy It Now for only: $2.49 |
| GI Joe 7 Lot Action Figures Toys Collectable Soldiers Cobra Mixed Cool Look | |
 |
$2.99 Time Remaining: 1d 8h 27m |
| Vintage 1996 Hasbro GI Joe Action Soldier Masterpiece Edition | |
 |
$12.99 Time Remaining: 1d 8h 44m Buy It Now for only: $24.99 |
| Ultimate Soldier ACTION ACCESSORIES SET Hands +More | |
 |
$4.98 Time Remaining: 1d 2h 6m Buy It Now for only: $4.98 |
| VINTAGE GI JOE 1964 ACTION SOLDIER MARINE MANUAL MM77 00 HASSENFELD BROS | |
 |
$4.99 Time Remaining: 1d 9h 17m Buy It Now for only: $5.99 |
| Action Man 40th Combat Action Soldier unopened | |
 |
$44.99 (1 Bid) Time Remaining: 1d 9h 31m |
| Soldiers of the World Vietnam War Air Forcel 12 Action Figure SOTW | |
 |
$19.99 Time Remaining: 1d 9h 57m Buy It Now for only: $21.99 |
| Small Soldiers 1998 Battle Damage Archer Gorgonites Sealed Action Figure | |
 |
$50.00 Time Remaining: 28d 1h 25m Buy It Now for only: $50.00 |
| Soldiers of the World Vietnam War 4 star US Army General 12 Action Figure SOTW | |
 |
$19.99 Time Remaining: 1d 9h 57m Buy It Now for only: $21.99 |
| VINTAGE GI JOE 1964 ACTION SOLDIER MARINE MANUAL MM77 00 HASSENFELD BROS | |
 |
$4.99 Time Remaining: 1d 10h 54m Buy It Now for only: $5.99 |
| DR WHO 5 INCH ACTION FIGURES MONSTERS ALIENS PART 1 POSTAGE DISCOUNTS | |
 |
$6.26 Time Remaining: 10d 21h 41m Buy It Now for only: $6.26 |
| VINTAGE 12 GIJOE HASBRO 1966 PATENT PENDING ACTION COMBAT SOLDIER SOFT HEAD | |
 |
$19.99 (2 Bids) Time Remaining: 1d 10h 58m |
| VINTAGE GI JOE 1964 ACTION SOLDIER ARMY MANUAL FM75 00 HASSENFELD BROS | |
 |
$4.99 Time Remaining: 1d 11h 8m Buy It Now for only: $5.99 |
| Action Figure Lot 11 Figures Aliens Small Soldiers GI Joe | |
 |
$8.99 Time Remaining: 29d 7h 3m Buy It Now for only: $8.99 |
| Ultimate Soldier Navy Seal M151 A2 Jeep 16 W Action Figures and Arsenal | |
 |
$125.00 Time Remaining: 1d 17h 31m Buy It Now for only: $175.00 |
| GIJoe Vintage Action Soldier Small Arms Machine Gun Hasbro R | |
 |
$8.99 Time Remaining: 1d 17h 47m |
| GIJoe Vintage Action Soldier SOTW Australian Jungle Fighter Knuckle Knife | |
 |
$8.99 Time Remaining: 1d 17h 47m |
| Gears Of War 2 COG SOLDIER action figure B | |
 |
$13.99 Time Remaining: 4d 42m Buy It Now for only: $13.99 |
| ACTION MAN 1978 BROWN EAGLE EYE FIGURE SOLDIER SEE DESCRIPTION | |
 |
$4.23 (2 Bids) Time Remaining: 1d 19h 7m |
| NEW Star Wars Action Fiigure Naboo Soldier W EXCLUSIVE HOLOGRAM FIGURE | |
 |
$0.99 Time Remaining: 1d 20h 45m |
| 1996 Star Wars POTF Hoth Rebel Soldier Action Figure w Backpack Blaster Rifle | |
 |
$5.99 Time Remaining: 15d 23h 43m Buy It Now for only: $5.99 |
| 1964 Vintage GI Joe Hasbro Action Soldier Ski Patrol Goggles Very Nice item | |
 |
$4.92 (2 Bids) Time Remaining: 1d 21h 6m |
| 1999 Hasbro Planet Of The Apes Gorilla Soldier 12 Action Figure | |
 |
$40.00 Time Remaining: 1d 21h 38m |
The Nature of Soldiers
The theme of war is probably one of the most popular themes in the world literature, especially in the 20th century when the real value of human life decreased dramatically in the result of the numerous military conflicts which acquired unparalleled scale in the past century. In fact, the 20th century was the time when military conflicts swapped away millions of human lives both military and civilian. As a result, many authors realized that human life worth practically nothing that may be traced in works of such outstanding writers of the 20th century as Earnest Hemingway, Graham Green, and many others.
On the other hand, the nature of soldier, who is traditionally perceived as an essential part of the war, was particularly interesting because it was and still is important to realize what the nature of a man, who kills the same living beings without even knowing them, is. In this respect, the work created by Tim O’Brien "The Things They Carried" seems to be particularly noteworthy since in this book the author attempts to uncover the veil that hides the nature of soldiers. At the same time, the author attempts to challenge traditional and a bit stereotyped views on soldiers and raises some questions which are really difficult to answer: what is the real nature of soldiers, can it be uncovered by soldiers’ actions or probably the things they carry may be much more eloquent, and whether soldiers are really soulless, thoughtless murderers, or are they are martyrs that readily crucify themselves on the cross of others?
Basic characteristics of soldiers
To answer the questions posed above, it is necessary to clearly realize what a traditional view of a typical soldier is and how soldiers are perceived in a public eye or by an average individual that has neither military experience nor independent ideas about military service and war at large. This is extremely important for the analysis of Tim O’Brien’s work and understanding its message which uncovers the nature of a soldier.
In fact, it is not a secret that often people have quite a vague image of a real soldier; it usually means a soldier who took an active part in real military conflicts, especially such terrible one as the War in Vietnam. Nonetheless, it is traditionally believed that a typical soldier is an individual that is specially trained to thoughtlessly execute order of a commander. What is more, the numerous military conflicts as well as modern pop culture created an image of a soldier participating in a war as a brainless machine for slaughtering enemies, or in a better case an individual who can readily kill a proclaimed enemy without hesitation.
As a result, the general public perceives a soldier as an individual who is just a kind of machine good or bad, but its nature is purely mechanistic since the only goal and function of soldiers is supposed to be the destruction and total defeat of enemies. In such a situation, the readiness of a soldier to kill seems to be particularly striking because the general public believes that as they move and act fast than they do not think a lot of what they are doing. Consequently, it appears that soldiers simply kill enemies that they were ordered to kill.
Obviously, such a view of a soldier is extremely stereotyped and basically, soldiers’ nature is characterized as the dominance of physical power over mind, lack, or even total absence of emotions and feelings resulting in cruelty, and, finally, the only function of a soldier is to kill for the sake of victory whose real value they cannot even realize because their only purpose in war is considered to be self-survival that reveals certain soldiers’ egoism.
It is possible to argue with these ideas concerning soldiers and their nature because it is necessary to agree that this is basically a pacifist point of view but, nonetheless, all characteristics mentioned above are relevant, if not dominant in the modern society.
The nature of soldiers as shown by Tim O’Brien
However, Tim O’Brien has quite a different view of a soldier in war and, apparently, he does not really believe in stereotypes and beliefs of the general public. Instead, in "The Things They Carried" he attempts to uncover the real nature of soldiers who participated in a terrible military conflict which real purpose was though quite unclear for them. At the same time, the author has managed to show a soldier totally different from what he is traditionally thought to be and, according to the author his nature turns to not be so different from the nature of any other human being. In such a way, the soldier turns to be similar to any ordinary person but, as the further analysis of the book will show, even such a view of soldiers’ nature is quite superficial.
Physical burden
Tim O’Brien in his book depicts a group of soldiers who are marching through Vietnam and each soldier carries with him different items which are supposed to be the most important things that must guarantee their survival in the territory of the enemy. In such a way, the soldiers carry only the most essential things that are not supposed to weight too much to make their pace fast and their marching too tiring.
The author thoroughly depicts the items soldiers carry with them and, taking into consideration even the smallest details, it is possible to presuppose that he does it intentionally in order to emphasize the weight of items on the shoulders of each soldier. In this respect, it is possible to say that he attempts to evaluate the traditional belief about physical power of soldiers. Not surprisingly that he is very precise in his description and seems to be merely cataloging what being carried: "As the first lieutenant and platoon leader, Jimmy Cross carried a compass, map, code books, binoculars, and a .45(c) caliber pistol that weighed 2,9 pounds full loaded".
In such a way, it seems that soldiers carry only the most essential things that debunk a bit the myth about physical power of soldiers as supermen. In other words, the author intentionally makes soldiers closer to readers to make them understand that soldiers are really human, they do not possess any superpowers and they also suffer a lot.
At the same time, it is very important to underline that the author does not express a lot of feelings or sentiments when he depicts physical sufferings that seem to be really significant since "the weapon weighed 7.5 pounds unloaded, 8.2 pounds with its full 20 round magazine. The rifleman carried anywhere around from 12 to 20 magazines… adding on another 8.4 pounds at minimum, 14 pounds at maximum".
Obviously, this descriptions of physical sufferings of soldiers are very important because in such a way the author to a certain extent agrees with the general public that the physical strength is an essential part of soldiers’ nature, but, on the other hand, he underlines that physically soldiers are not supermen and they carry only as many things as they need. As a result, due to special training and the weight of things they carry, the physical burden does not really affect soldiers significantly and it is obvious that they get used to it.
Consequently, on analyzing soldiers’ nature as the author wants readers to perceive it, it is possible to say that physical aspect is vitally important but not dominant. In fact, it is rather a question of training and remarkably that it is only the things that affect soldiers’ feelings and emotions are, on one hand, the most valuable for them, while, on the other hand, they are the most difficult to carry.
Moral burden
Such an obvious intentional emphasis on the depiction of items the soldiers carry is quite symbolic because it is through these items the author wants to reveal the nature of soldiers. At the same time, when analyzing their things and their thoughts, it becomes clear that physical burden of the march is incomparably less significant than moral burden of soldiers.
In fact, it has been already mentioned that some things are of a paramount importance for soldiers, though, at first glance, they are of a little value, if any at all, and they seem to be useless in the war. For instance, Jimmy Cross carries a small pebble which is totally useless during the march but, in actuality, its real value, its weigh is enormous since this pebble is a symbol of his love for Martha. It is very symbolic that he cannot rid of this tiny thing which merely weights an ounce because it was Martha who gave him this pebble and he cannot just throw it away, even though he wants to forget her.
The same may be said about his letters from Martha which he burns attempting to forget his love. However, he clearly realizes that he cannot forget Martha by burning the letters because the mere act cannot rid him of his memories: "He realized it was only a gesture… Besides, the letters were in his head".
As a result, it is obvious that moral burden turns to be much more significant than physical one and soldiers’ nature is not deprived of morality, feelings and emotions. In actuality, soldiers’ emotions and feelings are so strong that they are practically incomparable to material items that cause physical sufferings of soldiers. This is why "Jimmy Cross humped his love for Martha up the hills and through the swamps… Lieutenant Cross remembered touching her left knee. A dark theater he remembered… when he touched her knee, she turned and looked at him in a sad, sober way that made him pull his hand back, but he would always remember". This is why physical items are less important for him, as well as for other soldiers, than moral and spiritual ones.
Remarkably, while depicting soldiers’ feelings, emotions, and state of mind the author’s language becomes more vivid, picturesque, and sentimental. He clearly wants to uncover and show the readers this side of soldiers’ soul which is hidden from the general public as the dark side of the Moon. Obviously, such a view of soldiers’ nature is quite different from stereotypes dominating in readers’ beliefs.
O’Brien also underlines that soldiers suffer dramatically from the pressure of their memories, thoughts, and moral sufferings. This is why the author says that their emotions and feelings are intangible but very heavy to carry: "Grief, terror, love, longing these were intangibles, but intangibles had their own mass and specific gravity, they had tangible weight".
Furthermore, the author also wants to create a real image of a soldier, to put it more precisely, his moral image. Intentionally or not but he characterizes soldiers as brave people who really respect courage and who condemn cowardice about which he says "in many respects, this was the heaviest burden of all, for it could never be put down".
Thus, speaking about moral and intellectual side of soldiers nature, the author is very skeptical concerning the widely spread belief that soldiers are quite primitive and the war transforms them into a kind of machines. In stark contrast, he underlines that soldiers are really thoughtful, they have their own feelings and emotions that are getting even sharper during the war to the extent that he concludes that "it was very sad… the things men carried inside".
Self-crucifying on the cross of others
At the same time, the things soldiers carry are very symbolic and their symbolism is not hidden directly in the items themselves but in their significance for soldiers. What is meant here is that, during the war, these items are associated with the survival of each soldier. It seems as if each soldier carries his life hidden in these things and these things seem to be an inseparable part of each soldier. This is why it is possible to estimate that these things symbolize the cross each of the soldiers carry on his shoulders. Such an impression becomes particularly strong when a reader finds among the items some things that are a part of soldiers’ memory or even their soul.
Soldiers carry their things-crosses as if they are condemned to die but, in actuality, it is evident that they are innocent and they are similar to ordinary people like any reader. On the other hand, they did not give up but instead they kept marching carrying their things along with their moral burden.
On the other hand, it would be logical to ask whether the soldiers carry their crosses. To answer this question, it is necessary to think over some other questions: what they are fighting for, what they actually do and what they are ready to die for. While reflecting on these questions, it becomes evident that the soldiers are fighting for the interests of their own country and all the people living there. In fact, they are sacrificing their own lives without even being known to the general public. Finally, they are ready to die for those whom they love and whom they carry in their memory. In fact, is not Martha who will be on Jimmy Cross’s mind in the case he is shot?
The only logical conclusion that may be done after these answers is the fact that they actually carry all their emotions, feelings, thoughts and are ready to pass through physical sufferings only for the sake of other people whom they love as well as those whom they probably do not even know. In such a way, they simply crucify themselves on the cross of others since they do not protect their interests in this war and they die for others not for themselves.
Conclusion
Taking into account all of the mentioned above, it is possible to conclude that in his work "The Things They Carried", Tim O’Brien offers an original view of soldiers’ nature that is quite different from widely spread stereotypes concerning soldiers. In fact, he creates the image of soldiers who are like martyrs having to carry the cross of others and, what is more important they are ready to die for others’ sake.
Moreover, soldiers are not deprived of ordinary human feelings and emotions, they are not machines that receive and execute orders, they are real and they are heroic because they have to suffer for others which probably do not even have a vaguest idea of their existence, but which can live and work, love and marry, without any apprehensions about their enemies whom the soldiers fight against.
About the Author
Jeff Stats is a staff writer at custom essay writing service Mindrelief.net. You can order highest quality custom college essay, term paper, and research paper
Welcome to Toys Online Store. we have a great variety of Soldier Action for you to choose from below, and if you don"t find any Soldier Action products you were looking for, have a look around the site and bookmark us and come back latter on as we add more products on Soldier Actions everyday. Either way I hope you find the right Soldier Action for a great price.