The Things They Carried: The Dentist

Question: Characterize Curt Lemon and why he behaves the way he does. How does this affect your reading of the previous chapter? What is the purpose of placing this chapter directly after How to Tell a True War Story?

Answer:

            Curt Lemon was a soldier who wanted to be seen as tough. He boasted and did crazy dangerous things so that he could talk them up. It seems that he had a low self-esteem issue and was worried that other people would begin to view him as he viewed himself. He did dangerous things and wouldn’t stop talking about it because he wanted people to think of him as a dangerous, crazy, tough guy and he didn’t want them to forget it. He worried when he showed the smallest sign of weakness and rectified it as quickly as possible.

            After learning this, it affects my initial view of him and therefore my interpretation in the chapter previous. I still think that he was wrong to be reckless and dangerous, but I’m more sympathetic of him now. All he was trying to do was appear tough, probably so that the other guys would like him or at least respect him. While it doesn’t excuse his actions, it makes it more understandable. After all, Tim described him and Rat as “kids” (which presumes that they’re probably 18 or 19, if Tim, a 21 year old, views them as kids). He was probably just a boy who either joined the war or was drafted and wanted the older guys to think he was just as strong as them and whatnot. After knowing this information, the last chapter is sadder to me now that I feel that I know Curt Lemon better and his actions are more understandable and forgivable. The author put this chapter after “How to Tell a True War Story” to show that you shouldn’t judge people because you never know the reasons or stories behind the way they behave.