The Things They Carried

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Across
  1. 3. The stark, unembellished nature of events that often contrasts with the embellished tales told about war.
  2. 4. The medic and raconteur whose nickname hints at his sharp, sometimes sardonic, storytelling style.
  3. 9. A pervasive feeling that reflects the constant suffering and hardship experienced during the war.
  4. 11. The surname of the author–narrator who blurs fact and fiction to capture the emotional truth of war.
  5. 13. The Southeast Asian country where the soldiers’ physical and emotional burdens are borne.
  6. 16. Crucial supplies, meticulously accounted for alongside personal mementos, that sustain the men in combat.
  7. 17. The elusive quality that O’Brien wrestles with in recounting the war’s events—what is “sometimes true” and “sometimes not.”
  8. 18. A state of emotional separation and loneliness that some soldiers feel, even when surrounded by comrades.
  9. 19. The personal items—often letters from home—that tether soldiers to memories of a distant life.
  10. 21. A recurring metaphor in the book, representing both the physical load and the emotional heaviness carried by the men.
  11. 23. A paralyzing emotion that sometimes stops soldiers from acting in the heat of battle.
  12. 25. A primary weapon that, like many other things carried, comes to represent the dual nature of protection and destruction.
  13. 26. The quality that enables the soldiers to face death and chaos head on, even when fear threatens to overwhelm them.
  14. 27. The vehicle through which the characters share their experiences and make sense of the war.
  15. 28. A deep sorrow that shadows the characters as they cope with loss and the realities of war.
Down
  1. 1. The sacred text carried by one soldier, symbolizing his faith and a source of comfort amid the horror of war.
  2. 2. The Native American soldier whose spirituality and down-to-earth wisdom offer comfort amid chaos.
  3. 5. A recurring theme that underscores the high cost of conflict, affecting both lives and innocence.
  4. 6. A term that encapsulates both the physical objects and the emotional loads borne by the soldiers in war.
  5. 7. The leadership responsibility that Lt. Cross carries—balancing duty, distraction, and the consequences of command.
  6. 8. The psychological scars and lingering mental wounds that the soldiers endure well beyond the battlefield.
  7. 9. The woman whose letters and memories haunt Lt. Cross throughout the war.
  8. 10. The deep-seated desire to break free from the relentless pressures and horrors of the battlefield.
  9. 12. A bittersweet longing for home and a simpler past—a sentiment that underscores much of the soldiers’ inner lives.
  10. 14. The remorse and self-reproach felt by many soldiers as a result of decisions made in the midst of combat.
  11. 15. A fragile but sustaining emotion that many cling to, even when the situation seems hopeless.
  12. 20. The soldier whose post-war struggles and silence in “Speaking of Courage” highlight the lasting cost of conflict.
  13. 22. The intangible yet persistent remnant of past experiences that continue to influence the soldiers long after battle.
  14. 23. The strong bond among soldiers that provides support and understanding in the midst of overwhelming adversity.
  15. 24. Platoon leader burdened by a distracting love for a woman who never really returns his affections.