Faith in the Things They Carried

Henry Dobbins wears his girlfriends pantyhose around his neck for protection and comfort. He is much to a greater extent confident when he equips the stockings, therefore they act as a talisman that shield him from the evils of war. Dobbins was invulnerable. Never wounded, never a scratch No cover at all, but he just slipped the pantyhose over his nose and breathed deep and let the magic do its work (O Brine 112). OBrien uses Dobbins as an example to essay the implementation of faith and hope. Through Dobbins and his close relationship with the pantyhose, It Is shown how mentality can affect reality.The stockings not only display the importance of faith and a compulsory attitude, but also a yearning for femininity, revealing the softer side of Dobbins. They express his longing for fare and home. With the stockings, Dobbins journeys through the war untouched and fearless. It turned us into a platoon of believers No sweat, he said. The magic doesnt go away (OBrien 112). The leggings give Dobbins a of the other platoon members. They began to make the soldiers rely on superstition rather than rationality because the twists of the jungle were unpredictable.Even after his girlfriend dumped him, Dobbins remained immaculately brave which means hat the power of the stockings did not eff from love or his memories, but Dobbins himself. A heroic warrior whose victories claim the country fundamental goodness and power (Gibson 510). He was able to dress hope more than anyone else in the platoon and because of that, Dobbins is singled bring out as a simple, yet comical individual who can take on the obstructions and terrors of war by simply remaining himself. Throughout the war Lieutenant Jimmy Cross, the platoon leader, cant resist reminiscing about his hungering love for Martha.His anticipation for returning home after the war only grows heavier as his thoughts overrun his mind. This uncontrollability leads to lilac-coloreds death on which Cross cant ever forgive himself for letting happen. Lavender was dead. You couldnt burn the blame (OBrien 22). His guilt and remorse builds up too point where he tries to rid his mind of the tragedy by burning his memories of Martha, changing nothing. This is native to understanding Cross character because no matter what harm keep downs his way, he ties it back to Martha.Several years after the war, Lieutenant Cross visits OBrien house ND tells him about how Martha gave him other photo at a college reunion. When OBrien tells Cross that he wants to write a story about Martha and Cross, Cross replies, Why not? Maybe shell read it and come begging. Theres always hope, right? (OBrien 28). In the war, Lieutenant Cross puts his faith in returning to Martha because it gives him something worth fighting for. He is completely broken when he finds out she doesnt love him, yet still loves her and wants to be with her.Likewise, OBrien teaches through Cross that many soldiers would have the high expectations f comi ng home after war to find their dreams come true, clearly that is not always the case. Even though Cross isnt fully satisfied, he still believes that there is a possibility that Martha will come back to him after OBrien writes a story of him as brave, handsome and heroic. Muff need to persist, to listen, and to give them something to hold on to, something that gives them a sense of possibility (Kowtowing 206). Both Martha and OBrien twirl Cross something to look forward to, a reason to keep his hopes up and remain positive.