What has O'Brien learned about himself and how does he return home changed in the things they carried?

Answer 1

In "The Things They Carried," O’Brien learns about the complexities of courage, guilt, and the burdens of memory. His experiences in Vietnam force him to confront the trauma and moral ambiguity of war, leading him to understand that storytelling is a means of processing and coping with these experiences. Upon returning home, he is changed by a deep sense of loss and disconnection, as he grapples with the haunting memories of his comrades and the impact of war on his identity. This transformation highlights the enduring psychological scars that soldiers carry long after the physical conflict has ended.