One of the main characters in The Things They Carried, written by Tim O'Brien, was called Lieutenant Jimmy Cross and he was only 24 years old, but he bore responsibility for the lives of his men. Like most men of war, Jimmy Cross didn't enlist, he was drafted, and often his mind was elsewhere, trying to escape the realities of war. He was young and often thought about what most people at his age do: women. He had one daughter in particular, and he was often caught daydreaming about this girl at home. Her name was Martha and she was studying English at Mount Sebastian College in New Jersey, played volleyball and was a junior in college. In a way, Marthe represented a religion for him, and he adored her day and night. Even though Martha wasn't interested in Cross, he was still interested in her and liked knowing that the love wouldn't be returned. The way men escaped their reality was different and for Cross, Martha was his distraction. Cross was indeed a martyr. Much like a martyr, he endured great suffering caused by saying goodbye to everything that reminded him of Martha in the name of a belief or a cause such as keeping his men alive during the war. In a way, Lieutenant Jimmy Cross symbolizes Jesus Christ. Their initials are the same, and just like Jesus Christ, Cross sacrificed something for others. Jesus sacrificed his life to bring salvation to the people he led. In The Things They Carried, Cross gave up his love for Martha, she was his life in a way, and she kept his mind occupied and away from the reality of war. He sacrificed Marthe, he “burned Marthe’s letters.” Then he burned the two photographs of her. He gave up on her completely, he told himself "no more fantasies" meaning Martha everything I... middle of paper ...... I have been. That night, Cross “felt ashamed. He hated himself. He loved Martha more than his men, and as a result, Lavender was now dead. Cross sobbed that night: "He was crying for Ted Lavender, but mostly it was Martha and himself, because she belonged to another world." He realized he couldn't think about her anymore because she didn't love him as much. the way he loved her. Nor could he continue to put her before the well-being of his platoon. So he gave up on her and the idea that they would ever be together. Lieutenant Jimmy Cross tried to lead his platoon as best he could. Martha often distracted him. Eventually, Cross abandoned his love for Martha in favor of the love of his men and the value of their lives. He abandoned everything that kept him ready to live in order to preserve the lives of those in his care..