Exploration 7: Brandon

Part One: Looking back on The Things They Carried I learned many things from this book. However, the most important is that people change once they live in a war. They become solders, a part of the war. It is difficult for them to return home back to their normal lives before the war. Often times we cannot help them much to get back to normal, they have to find a way to cope on their own - just as Tim O'Brien did through his writing. 
Part Two: A fictional character that means a lot to me is Frodo Baggins from The Lord of the Rings Trilogy. Frodo, a hobbit from the peaceful Shire acquires the One Ring from his uncle. Learning of the rings power, Frodo sets out on a journey with eight others to destroy the ring. Along the way Frodo resists using the ring's power for his own good, and proves to be the one most capable to carry the ring. Frodo means a lot to me because he stands for what is right, to protect the ones he loves and cares for. Frodo shows his courage and his compassion and tremendous amount of self-control throughout the journey to destroy the ring. I think Frodo's qualities are all ones we should strive to have, and sets a good example for all of us.

Frodo Baggins