The Things They Carried: Church Summary & Analysis

One afternoon the platoon finds a nearly abandoned pagoda west of the Batangan Peninsula. Two monks live inside who hardly speak any English. They don't seem upset when the soldiers dig foxholes close by—though the younger one made a washing motion with his hands that no one could decipher. The older monk led everyone inside, which was in bad shape. Kiowa says you're not supposed to mess with churches, but they stay the night and use the pagoda as an operation base for the next week or so. On the second day the elder monk gave Lieutenant Jimmy Cross a cane chair and put it near the altar area, then bowed and gestured for him to use it. The old monk seemed proud. Another time, the younger monk gave out four ripe watermelons, and watched until the soldiers had completely eaten them. He made the washing motion with his hands again.

The monks were kind to everyone but particularly loved Henry Dobbins. They called him "Soldier Jesus." They helped him clean his gun, and though they never spoke they seemed to share a sense of understanding. Dobbins tells Kiowa that he thinks after the war he'll become a monk. Kiowa remarks he didn't realize Dobbins was a religious man. Dobbins says he isn't; he used to go to church as a kid. But as he got older he saw the material perks in being a minister, how it would be a good life, and though he believed in God what he was more interested in was being nice to people. But Dobbins says he could never be a minister because he's not smart enough for the sermons or answering the hard questions about life, like why God invented illness.

Dobbins asks after Kiowa's religious aspirations since Kiowa carries his Bible everywhere. Kiowa says it's because that's how he was raised, and he has never considered being a minister. Dobbins jokes he would love to see an Indian preacher (e.g. Kiowa). Kiowa says he likes churches though: it makes you feel good and peaceful to sit in them. Then he says what the soldiers are doing in the pagoda is wrong, they shouldn't be here because it's a church. Dobbins agrees.

While this conversation is going on the monks have been cleaning Dobbins' gun. They finish and Dobbins reassembles it. He gives both monks a can of peaches and chocolate. He tells them to go. The monks bow and walk out. Dobbins makes the washing motion. He tells Kiowa that Kiowa is right about the pagoda, and they shouldn't be there. But he says, "All you can do is be nice. Treat them decent, you know?"