In The Things They Carried by Tim O'Brien, how does Kiowa feel about Lavender's death?

In
by , Kiowa is revealed to not feel emotional grief over Ted Lavendar's
death. The Vietnam War was particularly brutal and violent with immensely high death tolls.
Kiowa's reaction is one of deep consideration of the fragility of life itself and of the
undignified death that so instantly claims the life of his friend and fellow soldier. While one
may see Kiowa's response as cruel or heartless, his response is a rational numbness and shock in
the face of so much constant death. Kiowa wishes he could feel deep grief like his fellow
soldiers, and experiences guilt over his lack of emotional response. However, Kiowa finds other
meaning in Lavendar's death. He finds an appreciation for his own life and a deeper
understanding of the fragility of life and the possibility of death at any moment, especially in
war.