Rat Kiley

Rat Kiley is a fictional character from Tim O'Brien's novel "The Things They Carried," representing a medic in the Vietnam War. He is compassionate, often using dark humor to cope with the horrors around him. Kiley tends to be sensitive and caring toward wounded soldiers, but also struggles with the trauma and emotional toll of war. His role highlights the emotional and physical burdens faced by medical personnel in wartime, illustrating themes of pain, loss, and the human cost of conflict.