The Things They Carried | Teaching Setting, Symbolism and Objects

Object Descriptions

This section provides a short description of all the major objects in the book. This can be printed out as a study guide for students, used as a "key" for leading a class discussion, or you can jump to the quiz/homework section to find worksheets that incorporate these descriptions into a variety of question formats.

Objects

Hump It - Term used for the things they carried. Some carried photographs, letters, comic books, condoms, and severed thumbs. Others carried extra rations, foot powder, and the New Testament. They all carried guns, helmets, and flak jackets. They all carried burdens.

Pebble - Symbol of Martha's "truest feelings." Sent to Lt. Jimmy Cross in a letter, and he kept it as his good luck charm.

Than Khe - Village the platoon razed to the ground after the death of Tim Lavender.