Tim O'Brien's book, The Things They Carried, depicts stories from the Vietnam War. Although not one hundred percent accurate, the stories describe important historical events. The Things They Carryed reclaims the history of the Vietnam War and depicts the situations American soldiers faced. The United States government represents an effect of political power during the Vietnam War. The United States enters the war to prevent a communist takeover of South Vietnam. The U.S. government believed that if communism spread to South Vietnam, it would spread elsewhere. Many Americans disapprove of their country's involvement. Men crossed the border to avoid conscription. The powerful United States government made the decision to go to war, despite the opposition of many Americans. O'Brien's The Things They Carried applies elements of new historicism, including the recovery of Vietnam history and the political power of the United States that affected history. The Things They Carried describes real items that American soldiers carried during the war. They were carrying an M-60, a .45 caliber pistol, an assault rifle, ammunition, a compass, maps, code books, PRC-25 radio, sandbags, tanning lotion, toilet paper, tranquilizers, rabbit feet, Purple Hearts, diseases. , the wounded, the weak and the earth itself. Many soldiers experienced horrific events in Vietnam. War affects the mind. O'Brien said: “We all have problems. » (O'Brien 18). O'Brien recounts an example of the negative effects of war when a soldier shoots a baby water buffalo. He doesn't just want to kill the animal, but to make it suffer. The silence disturbs the soldiers. Often, soldiers think they hear something that leads them to make a bad decision. O'Brien describes a group of night watchmen who hear noises, go crazy...... middle of paper ...... novel by ......en shows the most thoughts and concerns intimates of the soldiers as well as the internal conflicts which seem to prevail over the communist cause. . The Things They Carryed demonstrates the soldiers' opposition to war. However, the United States remained focused on preventing a communist takeover. The enormous political power of the United States has influenced history. New Historicism is directly related to the things they carried. The novel contains elements of new historicism, a genuine recovery of history and a focus on political power. The Vietnam War negatively affected soldiers. Government power leads to war. This also leads to many problems, such as anti-war sentiment and causes internal conflicts among soldiers. Americans question our involvement in the war. O'Brien's The Things They Carried applies elements of new historicism, reclamation of Vietnam history, and U.S. political power..