The Unreliable Narrator

The chapter "The unreliable narrator" deals with characters from two different novels Pale Fire and The Remains of the Day. Both novels contain a character which narrates the story. In Pale Fire it is Mr. Stevens (the butler) and in The Remains of the Day it is Charles Kinbote. Though the two novels differ completely in topic both use an unreliable narrator as a literary tool; to make a seemingly simple story more interesting by twisting certain events and happenings. Tim O' Brian uses the same technique in The Things They Carried. In this novel Rat Kiley is the main unreliable narrator, his stories are always enhanced by his tendency to over exaggerate and his need to impress the other soldiers. Even though the narrators of these three novels are 'unreliable' they enhance it and give it its tone.

Personal Letter

Dear Mother,

This summer was the first time, I was traveling alone. Even though I didn't seem nervous, I was terrified to go to South Africa by myself. I wasn't afraid of political tumult or being hurt; I was afraid that something might happen to you and I couldn't be there. That day when we went to buy those bracelets; we swore that we wouldn't take them off until we met again. You were so worried about me, I felt that you didn’t want to let me go, but you knew you had to. You asked me what stone I wanted on my bracelet, it didn't matter to me, so I let you choose one. You chose Labradorite for me, which is a stone for protection and strength. I could have been hurt on many occasions working with Dr. Kriel; every buffalo, sable, rhino, leopard or giraffe capture and treatment is potentially dangerous. Yet I came home unscathed, I might have had some minor scratches and bruises but I arrived in one piece.

Now I have decided to continue to wear my bracelet, knowing it will help me overcome this difficult year ahead of me and lighten the burdens I have to carry.

Thank you.

Love Fabiola

The Things They Carried Lists

I chose to post the things Jimmy Cross and Ted Lavender carried.

Jimmy Cross

- Letters from Martha
- Rucksack
- Compass
- Maps
- Code books
- Binoculars
- .45-caliber pistol
- Strobe light
- M-60
- M-16 gas rifle
- M-79 grenade launcher
- M-18 smoke grenades
- Fragmentation grenades
- Responsibility for his platoon
- Canteen
- Photographs
- Dog tags
- Pocket knives
- C-rations
- Mosquito repellent
- Salt tablets
- Steel helmet


Ted Lavender

- Weed
- Tranquilizers
- Steel helmet
- Fatigue jacket
- Trousers
- Jungle boots
- Flak jacket
- Compress bandage
- Plastic poncho
- Canteen
- Ammo
- Rucksack
- M-16 gas rifle
- M-79 grenade launcher
- M-60
- Dog tags
- Pocket knives
- C-rations
- Mosquito repellent
- Salt tablets
- Fear