Objects written into stories

Often times, there is much more to a story line than characters, narration, and dialogue. Physical objects many times plays an important part in the plot of the story. Significant objects in stories can be very simple objects, but have a nonliteral meaning that is important to the plot. "The Things They Carried," by Tim O'Brien is an example of a story in which objects significantly enhances the characterization of all of the characters. This …

…on the news or talk radio. At the time that this was written, it was the beginning of the Gulf War, which may have brought back memories for O'Brien. That is one reason that may have inspired him to write this story. Jimmy Cross changed considerably by the end of the story. This goes to show that war can not only bring out the bad in people, but it can also bring out the good.