After reading the short story "They things they carried," by Tim O'Brien our views on war and how people respond to death
can definately change. Eventhought the story mainly foucuses on Jimmy Cross, I will give the spotlight to another character by the
name of Kiowa. Kiowa is a soldier who like the others carries materials and non-material things. I find Kiowa to be an interesting character who might come off as a bit annoying.
From the beginning we learn that he is a devout baptist, which is why he carries at all time an illustrated New Testament. He might carry this
to feel some sort of confidence that only God can give. Kiowa also carries his distrust for the white men since he is an Indian, but he gets along with everyone just fine. As the story progresses we start seeing a different side of Kiowa. When Ted Lavender is killed Kiowa just keeps on blurting out how he died. He seemed not to care very much about how the others felt.
In my opinion Kiowa is a round character because bot only he is a soldier but he's also a devout baptist and a friend.
After watching how Jimmy Cross cries over Ted Lavender's death Kiowa wishes he could feel something different
which changes him completely. He realizes that he doesn't want to be so cold inside.
To me Kiowa's reaction is just a clear illustration of how people can react in certain times, which is why I chose him.
The most common reaction that is expected when receiving bad news or watching a person die is to curl up in agony and
cry desperately, something Kiowa didn't do. He just kept on talking about Ted Lavender's death sounding like a broken record.
We never know how we might react until it truly happens.
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I agree with your view point that Kiowa is a round character in the story. He showed many personalities such as his belief, smart and confident. He also is careful observer who figure out Jimmy Cross is in some deep hurt because of Ted Lavender’s death.
ReplyDeleteI like what you said; "We never know how we might react until it truly happens." It's true, we may think we know how we will react to certain situations, like Kiowa expected some sort of grief over Lavender's death, but we never know how we will really deal with a situation until it happens.
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