The Things They Carried

Throughout the entire story of "Lives of the Dead" describe at least three different ways in which the dead are treated?

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The soldiers treat the dead body of an enemy soldier with disrespect, sarcastically inferring their actions are in fact respectful. They moved the old man's body and sat him up, talked to him, placed things in his lap, and toasted his life.

The place was deserted—no people, no animals—and the only confirmed kill was an old man who lay face-up near a pigpen at the center of the village. His right arm was gone. At his face there were already many flies and gnats. Dave Jensen went over and shook the old man's hand. "How-deedoo," he said. One by one the others did it too.

"Be polite now," he said. "Go introduce yourself. Nothing to be afraid about, just a nice old man. Show a little respect for your elders."

They proposed toasts. They lifted their canteens and drank to the old man's family and ancestors, his many grandchildren, his newfound life after death. It was more than mockery. There was a formality to it, like a funeral without the sadness.

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The Things They Carried