The Things They Carried by Tim O'Brien?

Question

Im writing an essay about one of the characters Jimmy Cross. I cant seem to find that many things about why he is a good leader. Please help me out.

Answer 1

1Lt Jimmy Cross is not a good leader, but in the end of Tim O'Brien's book he matures and decides to try to become a true leader.

Cross joins ROTC in his sophomore year at college to get extra credits and some money.  He is just going through the motions and chasing his girlfriend.  But O'Brien finds him in Vietnam at least a year and a half after college graduation and commissioning (it takes 18 months to become a 1st lieutenant) but Cross is still acting like a kid.

He uses his old girlfriend as his escape from reality and responsibility.  Then after the deaths of some of the men assigned to him, he burns her letters and photograph and decides to focus on caring for his men.

Cross grows up, stops being a kid, and gets to work.  He is not a good leader, but he is developing into an adult and working for the men assigned to him.  

Being a good leader is putting your people first and getting the job done.  Throughout most of O'Brien's novel, Cross is selfish, immature, and putting himself first by hiding in his college memories.  Finally the reality of Vietnam causes him to mature.....so the Cross segment is a "coming of age" tale or a "rite of passage" story.

Cross finally realizes his men are more important that his personal fear and escapism.  At the end of the novel, Cross finally has some focus as an adult.

Hope this answer helps you get started with your essay.