Exploration 7: Andrew Chaffin

Part One: There are many examples in O'Brien's book, The Things They Carried, in which individuals carried things. This could be emotional or physically. From reading this book I will carry the emotion of respect for our soldiers that have previously fought for our country. It is certainly worth the mention. These men and women risk their life's for us. The deserve our respect. A value that is most important in my opinion that was expressed through the novel is know body forgets. Emotion consumes us. What happens in life is what God has planned. What choices we make determine who we are. What results from this is memory. Our brain is like a sponge. It soaks up all the information it gives us. The significant stuff sticks. We should carry this insight with us when ever a decision comes in front of us.
Part Two: A fictional character that means most to me is Benjamin Martin. He is the lead character in the movie The Patriot. He is a symbol of Patriotic America. Throughout the movie he loses two sons to the British Army while fighting in the American Revolution. Due to this he faces many hardships he has to endure similar to the characters in O'Brien's book. He survives through them and reaches the ultimate goal. In the end of the movie he leads the charge in battle to take control of a British territory basically resolving and winning the war. Although the character is fictional Mel Gibson does a great job of presenting a man that gives hope to individuals, including myself, that you can succeed through anything.