Final answer:
In the novel 'The Things They Carried' by Tim O'Brien, the character who carried an ear from a VC corpse is Mitchell Sanders. This act signifies the psychological impact of war on soldiers and embodies the broader themes of the novel such as storytelling, memory, and identity.
Step-by-step explanation:
The objects carried by the soldiers in the novel often have profound symbolic meanings, reflecting their fears, desires, and the burdens of war. Mitchell Sanders' action of carrying the ear is a grim reminder of the dehumanizing aspects of combat and the psychological toll it takes on soldiers. The novel not only explores the physical weight of their loads but also the emotional and psychological weight of their experiences in the Vietnam War.
The personal items they carry, such as photographs, good luck charms, and letters, also offer a stark contrast to the more violent and disturbing things some of them choose to carry, such as the ear that Sanders took. O'Brien's detailed portrayals provide not just a window into the varied experiences of soldiers, but also reflect broader themes about the nature of storytelling, memory, and the lasting impact of war on an individual's identity.