The Things They Carried Kiowa Character Traits
Character Analysis Essay Throughout the story, The Things They Carried, written by Tim O Brien, the
author presents Kiowa as a complex and intelligent trooper by using multiple indirect and sometimes
confusing quotes like, The earth is slow, but the buffalo is patient... (O Brien 35). These mystical and
spiritual quotes/characteristics are why many readers become intrigued by him. Some of these
characterizations can be found through the character s thoughts, his actions/what he says, and what
others say about him. Overall, Kiowa was known for being a kind trooper, a man with his beliefs
straight, and a well respected human being. Numerous times in this book Kiowa indirectly
characterizes himself as a very well rounded, gentleman by what he ... Show more content on
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After Kiowa s death, Jimmy Cross decides to write a letter to Kiowa s father, saying, ...what a fine
soldier Kiowa had been, what a fine human being... (157). This was the first time in this story that
Jimmy Cross had personally written a note to a family member of one of his deceased troopers, which
showed how valuable Kiowa actually was to him and the rest of the group. Along with Jimmy Cross,
Azar also openly announced his remorse for the young, dead, Native American. Although, Azar
showed it in a very hidden way by exclaiming to Norman Bowker, Listen... Those dumb jokes I didn t
mean anything. Azar was known throughout the entire book for being tough and for cracking
extremely insensitive jokes like the one about Kiowa s death, but after he saw Kiowa s body, he
immediately regretted what he said. Just like Jimmy Cross never wrote personal letters about his
trooper(s), Azar never apologized or felt remorse for his wrong doings until Kiowa s death. Both of
these characters exhibited their emotions in different ways, but in the end, they both came to the same
conclusion; Kiowa was an amazing man and did not deserve the indecent death he
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