In The Things They Carried, an autobiographical collection of stories by Tim O’Brien, Martha is an elusive entity who is discussed frequently by the characters. In particular, Lieutenant Jimmy Cross forms a deep and unrequited love for her while serving in the Vietnam War.
Cross obsesses over her and daydreams of a life with her, which is the only thing that helps him keep his sanity during the war. He carries a photograph of her in his pocket, allowing him to remember her when he needs it most.
Cross carries this photograph nearly everywhere, only putting it away when in front of his men as he does not want to appear weak by being preoccupied with thoughts of Martha. Despite his longing for her, Cross never makes any attempts to pursue a relationship.
He does not even formally meet Martha during the course of the book. Nevertheless, she serves as a major source of comfort and hope for Cross, allowing him to stay rooted in an idealized version of his imagined future.
Why is cross obsessed with Martha?
Cross is obsessed with Martha because of the way she brings out the best in him. She is the only one in his life who consistently believes in him and supports him, no matter what he does. He is highly attracted to her due to her intelligence and wit, as well as her beauty.
He finds himself feeling calmer and more in control when she is around, and he believes that she truly understands and accepts him. Additionally, her courage and strength in difficult situations give Cross the confidence he needs to carry on and tackle any problem that comes his way.
Ultimately, Cross is in love with Martha and is devoted to her in a way that he is not with anyone else in his life.
Is Jimmy Cross in love with Martha?
Jimmy Cross, a lieutenant in the United States Army, appears to feel deep admiration and respect for Martha, a young woman he meets only briefly at the start of Tim O’Brien’s story, ‘The Things They Carried’.
Although in the story O’Brien says that ‘in a way, he loved her’, it is not clear whether this love is entirely romantic in nature.
Throughout the story, Jimmy Cross seems preoccupied with thoughts of Martha, to such an extent that his mental focus on her and his concern for her safety gradually detract from his capability as a leader and get him into trouble.
He often retreats into a dreamlike state, remembering with nostalgia the brief time he has spent with her and imagining their future.
On the other hand, there is no evidence in the story that suggests that Jimmy Cross was in a romantic relationship with Martha, or that he had any expectation of a romantic relationship developing between them.
He appeared to not understand what his emotions were towards her, and he was never able to take any active steps towards resolving his feelings for her.
It therefore appears that what Jimmy Cross felt for Martha, although strong and persistent, was not entirely romantic in nature. It may be that Jimmy Cross was simply emotionally attached to Martha because of the brief amount of time he spent with her and the romantic, idealistic view of all the possibilities of life that he formed in his mind while he was with her.
Whatever the case, it is clear that Martha had an immense impact on Jimmy Cross and that he feels deeply and seriously for her.
What does Martha symbolize to Jimmy Cross?
Martha symbolizes hope, love, and happiness for Jimmy Cross. She is the perfect ideal woman that he has created in his mind and is his escape from the horrors of war. Martha symbolizes the life he desperately wants — a life outside of the war and a chance for a happily ever after with the woman of his dreams.
To Jimmy, Martha symbolizes a better life, and a chance to put the past behind him and move on with a new start he can make with the woman he loves. She is the connection he needs to make in order to move onto the next chapter in his life and to give him the courage and strength to go on.
What does Jimmy Cross wonder about Martha?
Jimmy Cross wonders about Martha constantly. He thinks about her constantly and especially when he is alone in his tent late at night. He wonders what she is doing and what she looks like now. He remembers how she had worn a cross around her neck and imagines how beautiful she would be in her hometown.
He also remembers the letters she would write him and he wonders if she ever thinks about him as often as he thinks about her. He wonders if she ever looks at the stars and thinks of him as he does of her.
He often dreams of one day being reunited with Martha and being able to hold her hand and look into her eyes just like they did during their brief time together. He wonders if they still have the same connection they once shared and if they will ever have the chance to rekindle the love they once felt.
Even after all these years, Jimmy Cross still can’t help but wonder about Martha.
What does Martha represent to cross in The Things They Carried?
In The Things They Carried, Martha is a character who represents the unattainable nature of love, home and innocence while men are away at war. During the Vietnam War, many of the soldiers were homesick and longing to be reunited with their loved ones, but they were trapped in a warzone and unable to leave.
Martha serves as a constant reminder of this helplessness, since Tim O’Brien is infatuated with her and yet unable to ever confess his love. Similarly, Martha also symbolizes the importance of holding onto hope and finding solace in the small joys during war, since she helps him to enjoy the shared moments of laughter, music and dancing on the night he almost confesses his love.
She represents the sadness, loneliness and longing of being away from home, but at the same time, she is a source of comfort and companionship in a time of great uncertainty.
Why does Martha send cross a pebble?
Martha sent a pebble to her friend as a symbol of her everlasting friendship and support. Historically, this custom has been used to convey friendship and loyalty between two people, and a gesture of support during difficult times.
The pebble symbolizes steadiness and strength, as it is a reminder that we all have something that cannot be broken or moved. Pebbles have also been used to communicate in a distance when two friends are apart, as the pebble can be a physical reminder of heart-to-heart connection when communication is not available.
By receiving a pebble, Martha’s friend was given a tangible reminder of their friendship. Furthermore, the act of placement, whether in a pocket or on a desk, adds another layer of symbolism to the gesture, as it serves as a daily reminder to keep Martha in their thoughts.
Why does LT Cross carry the letters from Martha?
LT Cross carries letters from Martha as a way of honoring the memory and love that he had for her. LT Cross’s life changed dramatically after Martha’s death, as he had lost the love of his life and closest companion.
LT Cross feels a strong connection to Martha and is determined to complete her unfinished task by delivering her letters. He was a loyal friend to Martha and by carrying out her last wish, LT Cross is showing his respect for her memory and his love for her.
He believes that the letters may help ease Martha’s family’s grief and bring them some closure and comfort, which is why he is committed to making this difficult journey. The letters are a reminder of the life of love and friendship that LT Cross and Martha had shared, and he hopes that by fulfilling Martha’s last request it will be a lasting symbol of their bond.
What does the pebble Martha sent Jimmy symbolize?
The pebble Martha sent Jimmy symbolizes a meaningful testament of their relationship. The pebble was actually a reminder that she was with him and would always be supporting him. The pebble acted as a tangible reminder to Jimmy that regardless of how far away they might be or how their lives can change in the future, Martha’s love and their bond would always remain.
It’s almost like a physical representation of their everlasting friendship. It also could be interpreted to mean that no matter how much the world and life change, our little moments stay the same. Just like the pebble being worn down over time, yet never really changing.
What might Martha stand for or signify?
Martha is a name that has been around for centuries and is derived from the Aramaic “marta” or “lady” and the Hebrew “Mare’et”. It is typically associated with Mary from the Bible, who is referred to as “Martha” in Luke 10:38-42.
Over the years, it has been used to represent a variety of values and ideas.
Martha can signify patience, hospitality, and service. She welcomed Jesus into her home and served Him faithfully and with a kind-hearted spirit. This trait is something that many aspire to do in their life and strive to show kindness and respect to those around them.
In addition, Martha is a symbol of faithfulness, loyalty, and selflessness. She had faith that Jesus would protect and provide for her and her family, even when it seemed hopeless. She trusted Him and remained dedicated to Him until the very end.
Finally, Martha can signify loyalty, unwavering love and dedication. Despite her sister Mary’s apparent lack of interest in Martha’s duties, Martha remained committed to serving Jesus, even when there seemed to be no reward or appreciation.
All of these qualities of Martha make her an excellent example of faithful love, patience, hospitality, and service. This is perhaps why her name has endured for so many centuries and is still part of our language today.
What does Jimmy Cross symbolize?
Jimmy Cross symbolizes youth and innocence lost to the harsh realities of war. As the young lieutenant of Alpha Company, he is naive, inexperienced, and overwhelmed with the responsibility of leading troops into battle.
In some ways, this makes him emblematic of the entire American conflict in Vietnam. Like Cross, the country was young, optimistic and ambitious when it entered the war, only to learn the hard way that it was unprepared for the difficulties of war.
Cross is also symbolic of the conflict of duty versus desire. Despite his strong emotions for Martha, his heart is constantly pulled toward his duty as a soldier. Whenever he thinks of her, he is reminded of the horrors of war and it brings him back to reality.
He knows he needs to stay focused and put his duty above all else, often at the cost of his own personal happiness.
Finally, Cross also symbolizes growth and change. As the novel progresses, he gradually learns to reconcile his duty as a soldier and his emotions for Martha. He eventually realizes that he can have both and learns to embrace them.
His journey encapsulates the evolution of America’s experience in Vietnam: from naïveté to enlightenment.
Does Martha love Cross?
Yes, Martha loves Cross. Martha has loved Cross since they met three years ago and their relationship has grown stronger ever since. She often tells him how much she loves him and how lucky she is to have him in her life.
They go out of their way for each other, whether it be cooking a special dinner, taking a romantic walk in the park or any other gesture of love. Whenever either of them comes across something that reminds them of the other, they make sure to bring it up or even buy it for them.
Martha’s love for Cross completely changes her demeanor and brings out her kind and gentle side. She loves him unconditionally and knows that he loves her just as much.
Who Did Martha Marry?
Martha, who was famously known as the wife of the founding father of the United States, George Washington, married him in 1759. The marriage was a happy union that lasted nearly forty years until George’s death in 1799.
Though their marriage did not produce any biological children, they raised two of Martha’s children from her previous marriage and two of George’s charges from his first marriage. Martha and George had many grand children and even some great grandchildren, helping to ensure that their legacy continued for many generations.
Why was Martha Cancelled?
Martha was cancelled due to a combination of ratings issues, internal network politics, and budget constraints. The show’s ratings had been declining since 2008 and by 2011 it had begun to sink even further.
This downward trend continued despite attempts to revamp the show, such as adding talent competitions and celebrity guests. Additionally, internal politics within the network put the show in the position of being highly vulnerable to the intense competition of the reality TV genre.
As a result, the network chose to cancel the show due to decreasing ratings and a lack of budget to cover the costs of production.
Where did Martha work before she became an?
Before she became an author, Martha worked as an environmental lawyer for an environmental law firm in Washington, D. C. She specialized in protecting air and water resources, helping to secure improved water resources in India and China.
She also helped develop land-use plans in the Chesapeake Bay region, protecting wetlands and promoting responsible development. Martha’s background in law and advocacy made her a perfect fit for writing while still using her knowledge and skills to fight for the environment.