Bethany Hermelin

Carter
AP Literature
The Things They Carried Timed Writing
In the novel, The Things They Carried, a character named Lavender dies. Lavender
doesnt die while trying to kill someone else, but he dies while doing a daily thing; using the
bathroom. This doesnt seem like a violent death, the rest of his squad was resting while he went
to the bathroom. Except he was shot in the head on the way back from the bathroom. Before
Lavender was shot in the head, the main character, OBrien, was thinking about his love, Martha.
When OBrien hears the shot fired and finds Lavender on the ground, he immediately feels guilty
for his death.
Lavenders death also causes Marthas death from OBriens head. He decided to burn
everything from her because he knew they just had a fake relationship. OBrien also feels guilty
for Lavenders death because he should have been on the lookout for enemies instead of being
selfish and thinking about himself and Martha.
Throughout the rest of the book, OBrien continues to reflect back on Lavender. He
continually talks about his death, his guilty for Lavender, or the things Lavender carried. One
short violent scene remained in OBriens head and it influenced him to write his story with
Lavender as the main subject among many stories.
Comment [H1]: Ted Lavender
Comment [H2]: Lavender does not die while
fighting a battle, he dies while using the restroom.
Comment [H3]: Cut out, mention that the squad
was resting and not out on the lookout.
Comment [H4]: remove
Comment [H5]: the commanding officer
Comment [H6]: Jimmy Cross
Comment [H7]: Jimmy
Comment [H8]: Because he should have been
watching Lavender and making sure he was safe to
leave their area.
Comment [H9]: Jimmy Cross
Comment [H10]: His relationship with Martha