The desire for freedom, and peace is and intangible item that ,the solidiers carry.

Showing emotion is consider only feminine, of course thats sexist and it definitely not true. But, for these soldiers it is. And, the need to preserve their manhood is an intangible feeling that these men carry. They carry toxic masculinity.

In a way, I think Kiowa carries his hope of staying alive. Which is what the bible represents. And this is an intangible thing, his hope is the only emotion he can muster in an warfare environment. His hope/faith is what is keeping him alive.

Kiowa carries a tangible item, and it represents his religion. Its a way for him to remain in harmony with his values and remind him of his mainstream life. He looks to religion for hope and faith for his life. He may even seek comfort in it, as well.

Jimmy is carrying his pain for the death of Lavender and his despair for having unreciprocated-- partly imagined-- love for Martha. And, this is an intangible item he carries.

Jimmy Cross is carrying an entrenching tool, which is an tangible item, yet what it represents can be described as intangible. He feels love and hate, which are strong emotions. So, Jimmy is also carrying his pain, his sorrow, and his regret.

The author chooses to emphasize Jimmy's tool and its weight, as the death of Lavender was brought up. I think this symbolizes a parallel between the weight of the entrenching tool and Jimmy's current mental state. He is being weight down by the effects of war, and loosing the people he calls friends. Jimmy is devastated.

Jimmy Cross fantasizes so much about Martha as a way to cope. He is a guilt-ridden soldier. His situation is disheartening, i wonder what made him join the army, and if he was even ready for what was to come.

Ohhh my I just realized that the soldiers are carrying things that give them comfort so that they can be able to get through a war.

Thats where the title goes into play. The author named it that to symbolize that the things on their back are the only things that give them hope in a hopeless situation

I may be wrong but Im assuming, dope=drugs. And, I wonder where Ted was able to get some in a war. Aside from that, it really goes to show how people are using anything to be able to get through traumatic warfare. And this man keeps coming up in the story, so I think that he must have meant a lot to Jimmy. And his death deeply wounded him.

The author seems to use the items to describe these characters personalities, or maybe foreshadow their actions.

In a way, the things that these men are carrying represent the most important things in their life that can comfort them in what seems like a war/

This line stands out to me because of how careful he's being. He doesn't want to damage the letter which is a parallel to not hurting Martha. She's like a precious gem in Jimmy's life.

Martha is described as skillful and talented writer, which leads me to believe that Jimmy admires her. She's the highlight of his life, his love runs deep. And I have to wonder if she feels the same. :/

He engulfs himself with the idea of having her to an unhealthy extent and it turns him into an obsessive man.

I think it's important to note how Tim always writes the old man's full name. I think it's a sign of respect he doesn't just use his first name, even though he's familiar with him. It shows how grateful Tim is of Elroy.

I wonder if the old man needed O'brien as much as O'brien needed him. They are two people who were feeling lonely, and were brought together to accompany each other. Even for the short amount of time. The old man is a kind and quiet soul which leads me to believe he may not have a children or a family of his own.

Tim remembers the old man with so much fondness because he helped him in a time that he most needed it. Reading this brings out so many emotions out of me, but one is also gratitude. I can almost feel (to an extent) how relieving it must have been for Tim to get a good result after continuous failures/mistakes.

This stands out to me, because I understand the feeling. I know how good it feels to receive an act of kindness after experiencing inner turmoil for so long. A subtle act of kindness will have you being grateful for the rest of your life.

I wonder if the "leaning" of the building toward Canada symbolizes one option out of two that Tim is currently considering (fleeing, and protesting the war). At this point in the story, he is more open to passing over the border.

Because I know how the story goes, I wondering what makes him turn around and go to ear. Is it a realization? Fear? Fear is something that really hinders a person if they dont know how to limit it.

Tim states what the Rainy River symbolizes to him. He views it as two polarizing lifestyles. One offers a fresh start, an opportunity to build a life that he wants and live with values that he actually holds. And the other to continue on with the war all to appease his community. It's a difficult decision, and while I know how it ends, I wonder if he ever regrets not taking the risk of going to Canada.

I think O'brien fell into a depressive state. He feels as if he has no control in his life, and that is a very discouraging feeling. You don't know what to do, or even if there's something to do that will make you happy. Its almost as if he was living his life on autopilot.

It's very difficult dying for a cause you don't believe in. its almost cruel to sign up for something without being properly informed. I can empathize for O'brien situation.

O'brien doesn't have a strong support system, and he doesn't have the resources to become his own. Which is the reason why he feels so lost, he hopped from a situation he hated to another he would later despise.

His job symbolizes the dreadful war that is approaching. Removing blood cots is a dreadful job and it isn't one that people go out actively searching for. So him having it foreshadows the war he is forced into.

The authors passion shines through here, because he knows that he was taken advantage of. Things weren't properly explained to him, and maybe on purpose. The government knew that if they tell their soldiers the dire aspect of the army then people would be less likely to volunteer.

People get angry when they know they should be treated better.

The integrity in this statement stands out to me because, so often people project their daydreams onto others but when it's their time to have that experience, they don't behave the way they fantasized about. It can be discouraging but it's also important to be honest with yourself.

The author hesitation to telling his story makes me more interested in reading it. This is something very personal to him, and writing it on paper must have aided him in his healing journey. Also, publicly releasing it shows a high level of maturity that only thorough reflection can achieve. He learned from his mistakes.

Darwin idea was natural selection and "survival of the fittest" which said that white people were superior. Because that goes against what Hally believes in, he might not be the best in school.

Sam is a father figure for Hally. He cares for him and doesn't expect him to be something he isn't. But rather compliments him in areas he does excel at.

Sam and Hally's friendship may be wholesome after all. They are on different sides of life but trying to understand each other struggles and interests.

I predict Hally's performance in school is the reasoning behind why his relationship with his dad is so strained. Maybe his father wants him to be the best student and Hally disinterest disappoints him.

Although Hally does not have a great relationship with his father (telling from his frantic behavior) Sam seems to care about him. Maybe he's a father figure because since Hally has arrived Sam has been asking him if he needs anything. Earlier he got him a towel to dry his hair and now he's getting him soup. But then it might be Sam's duties because he works for his family

Hally's might not have a healthy relationship with his parents. he seems nervous and anxious about his father's potentially coming home. Maybe his father is a stern man who holds high standards and is disappointed in Hally. I say this because of Hallys' frantic behavior, he may not want to fail him. Or maybe he just doesn't want to be in either parents presence because of how badly they treat him

Willie has a past of failed relationships. He's quite self-righteous, hitting his woman for not knowing a dance that he doesn't know either. Sam is wiser and tries to advise him against his harsh approach.

• Its is 1950 and readers can already notice the prevalent gender roles that society has.
• Hilda for asks Willie for child support, and finds a way to put the blame on her. His attitude conveys victim-blaming and sexism.

The relationship between him and his wife is strained. Maybe it has to do with gold digging because he was singing that tune about a woman playing games and takes his money. This deceit may be weighing on him. But because its 1950 Hilda may just be opportunist in a sexist society.

To me this seems manipulative because Claire knows that this is impractical and says the worst thing to excuse her actions. Her privilege is what allows her to do something like this. To make her unaware of the consequences.

Claire chooses to have sexual relations with people she doesn't necessary have romantic feelings for. This may hint at how the lack of family support systems affects her. She doesn't want to trust another person with her heart and true self because they may hurt her. Aaron is convenient in this situation

Claire and Angela have a deep connection, they love each other and are best friends. This is a special relationship for Claire specifically because she doesn't have a family that unconditionally loves

Claire's privilege blinds her from the effects of her actions. She wants to retaliate but ends up doing something that is racist and hateful

Claire doesn't have the best representation in her household. Claire doesn't seem to do this out of malicious intentions but ignorance. She has the privilege to not be affected by this hate symbol, but for the hallmate this holds a lot of meaning because its supporting a group of people who wanted to keep slavery

She doesn't have a strong healthy relationship with neither parents. later on when she does all those racist things the author may want the audience to know that her actions are understandable considering she doesn't have emotional support which enables her stubborn behavior. However although her actions are understandable and human they are not excusable and its her responsibility to no longer use her white privilege to live in ignorance.

I think that Claire has the white privilege to be seen as "trash'' and nothing else because if a brown or black girl wears provocative clothing the society is mostly to call them prostitutes and ghetto/ratchet. Beautiful things aren't always appreciated in society until its seen on a white women/girl and then its called a trend.

This was interesting to me because today, it seems like a lot of people live there life in autopilot and arn't as observatory.

My prediction was right. Chaos of this world has been so brutal that the government is in shambles

The imagery that the author uses here demonstrates that the pandemic has left trauma on all people. They went from living to surviving and a modern world does not prepare you for such an abrupt and disastrous change.

Society has collapsed. The original way it was ran has been affected by the the chaos of this pandemic. Cars seems to be absent in this world and so do other types of transportation- subway (trains), and bikes

All people seem to be on-edge and have been in this pandemic long enough to know what happens in certain situation. And they want steer clear in this fight because it would be brutal and unregulated. i predict for the police in this world to be unavailable or extremely scarce.

In a time of crisis, order seems to decline and there's chaos everywhere. Mostly because people are nervous, on edge, and just looking out for their own.

This hints that Rye might not be in the best mental space. That this post-apocalyptic world has left her some lingering trauma and maybe PTSD.