Style and Storytelling in The Things They Carried

Haresh Soorma

Literature |10 G

Karen Chase

12 March 2004

Style and Storytelling in The Things they Carried

Thesis: Tim O'Brien has created a unique novel in The Things They Carried by using styles, such as changing points of view, "blurring the boundaries between truth and fiction" , and use of repetition for effect.

I. Changing points of view

A. Metaficition

B. Creation of two characters

C. Narrator

D. Fictionalized Character

II. Truth and Fiction

A. Comparison and Contrast of real and "fictional" aspects

B. Authenticity's of story's

C. Constant Changing

III. Repetition for effect

A. Minute Details

B. Foreshadowing of core narratives

C. "Gut Instinct"

Haresh Soorma

Mrs. Karen Chase

Literature Composition | 10G

31 March 2004

Style and Storytelling in The Things they Carried

Tim O'Brien crafts an unique novel in The Things They Carried from an experience that is not particularly different from others who served in Vietnam.

Tim O'Brien appearing at RockyGrass-2006 Lyons, Co...

Randy Bernard

PippaMann

Style is how an author tells a story, and O'Brien demonstrates his style throughout the novel. One of O'Brien many styles is his presentation of certain chapters as the author, himself, and he presents others as his fiction characterization, also named Tim O'Brien, as well as changing points of view, he frequently challenges the reader to believe or disbelieve aspects of his stories by "blurring the boundaries between truth and fiction" (Colella 23). Not only does he challenge the reader to believe his stories, his frequent use of repetition for effect creates a greater emotional understanding with the reader. In The Things They Carried, Tim O'Brien has used his own experiences in Vietnam in conjunction with his imagination to weave together a series of short stories into a novel. These decisive and ingenious styles are key features of the novel.

One of O'Briens styles is to present a...