Since they run on instinct, this reality may not be real to them. This could be another reason why O'Brien uses the tangible things they carry and the intangible ones. The tangible is the reality they find themselves in right now, even if it is not favorable. The intangible is the dreams Jimmy Cross is having. The dream of “walking barefoot along the Jersey shore, with Martha, carrying nothing.” Bringing nothing could mean not bringing any equipment, or it could mean bringing none of the emotional baggage he had with him, just complete emptiness and serenity. O'Brien sometimes didn't indent his paragraphs, which also made the story feel like a poem. On page 473 he did not mention Jimmy Cross' daydream. Perhaps O'Brien felt the need to be alone and be able to separate himself. That little passage alone tells its own story and could be a standalone piece. This also indicates a chaotic tone. This tale does not follow a traditional tale. All the nuances of this story make it a truly unique piece. Sometimes it follows a poetic structure, but some passages are a short story themselves. This follows a chaotic structure and goes well with the setting (Vietnam War). O'Brien shows the chaos of War and integrates every part of it