O'Brien uses several different themes throughout the story. The two that I believe stick out the most are loneliness and isolation. O'Brien states that loneliness and isolation are both huge burdens on the soldiers while being involved in war. They are both very destructive to the soldiers and also play a huge role in the soldiers lives. The burden loneliness and isolation creates is said to be just as dangerous as their Vietnamese enemies they are at war with. The soldiers are away from their homes and feel as if they are disconnected from their families and the rest of the world. For this reason, many of the soldiers carry sentimental objects in order to remain sane in a time as difficult as war. Although war is described as nerve-wrecking, one of biggest problems is that the soldiers feel out of touch with everything back home. For instance, Henry Dobbins carries his girlfriends panties to in a way still feel connected to her while he is away. The fact that your fellow soldier could be killed at any moment is also a very scary thought for the men. They are not only away from home, but also fellow soldiers are dying around them, causing them to feel even more alone.
-Cole P
I agree with your theme of isolation throughout O'Brien's writing. It seems that that heaviest, most important things that they carried were the personal items that gave them a sliver of remembrance of what is at home. Even after Dobbins girlfriend dumps him he continues to wear the panties so that he could hold on to the only thing he had to remind him of home, even if it isn't going to be the same when he gets home.
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