Johnny Got His Gun Literary Analysis

The largest issue that surrounds war is not one about strategy, but one of morality. This issue is debated in the novel, Johnny Got His Gun, by Dalton Trumbo. This novel analyzes the validity and morality of war, as well as, the truth and reality of defending democracy. This novel takes a personal approach to the otherwise tactical and unemotional side of war. Trumbo writes this novel with a vehement anti-war sentiment that belligerently attacks the purpose of war. Additionally, this is demonstrated through the irregular circumstances of the main character, Joe Bonham. The author use of his physical disabilities made a resonating message for the reader. Trumbo is using this graphic imagery to make his point. He reinforces the point that true

liberty should be questioned. This novel is meant to show the propaganda and blind support of the war is something Americans should not accept. Trumbo was able to convey his message of anti-war sentiments through the techniques of point of view, as well as, sub-themes. The use of point of view is used to convey the message of helplessness and the failures of the war.
This use novel is where Trumbo defines his stance and beliefs surrounding war. The novel’s purpose is to give the reader an opportunity to look at an alternative to the common beliefs of World War I. His overarching message is the personal and emotional destruction that is caused by war and its effects on life. The message on war is one that will force the reader to reevaluate what is commonly thought about war. This novel was not written to conform to the normal beliefs and the support of the war in the United States. The importance of his vehement language toward war is a major contribution to the theme. The best vehicle to attain his theme was what he wrote. The novel did not have a subtle message to tell. Trumbo gave abundant examples to the reader that war was not only immoral but did not drive men to fight. When Joe thought “This is war and war is hell and what the hell and so to hell with it” (Trumbo) he is making war a personal conflict. This is not the conventional thoughts of war. The typical thoughts of war are to look at its travesties as impersonal issues. However, Joe is using himself to show the “hell” that war has put them through. He shows that there is proof that war involves humans and not just soldiers on the ground. He is not trying to show that he was just another man that was proud to die for his country. Joe is proving that actual lives have to go out and fight in the war. Joes is living proof of the poor lives that war creates for soldiers. This quote gives a side to war that is not viewed by the doctors or the man who delivers his medal. This contrast shows that different views on the bravery and sacrifice of war are answered in this novel. The dissent on the use of war is effectively delivered by Trumbo.
In Johnny Got His Gun, the lack of abilities that Joe has physically is part of the theme.

This is the particular way that Trumbo is able to prove the hypocrisy of liberty. He attacks this theme in the book by asking the reader if Joe is truly free. Joe is immobilized for the duration of the novel except for when he goes into a flashback. Until the end, Joe is unable to communicate with the outside world and is unaware of his surroundings, location, and year. He was unable to recall the year or even track time at one point. He had to concentrate all of his energy on trying to track the days as the nurses came in to take care of him. This lifestyle is something that made Joe asks if he is truly living a “free life”. He was told that he was going to fight for democracy and liberty. However, he is incapacitated and is unable to live his life after the war affected his life. This change is making Joe go crazy. Joe is pleading to have contact with the outside world. The lack of contact is making him realize that he is a dead man living. He is the spokesmen of the dead. He lets the reader know that no one thinks of their country in their dying moments, but the family that they will be leaving behind. The pain of his suffering is even pushed aside by the doctors that are responsible for his life. After be told he couldn’t talk he remarks, “They were forcing him to be silent. They didn't want to hear him. They weren't interested in anything but getting him off their minds”

(Trumbo). His suffering was not a concern. The doctors saw the easy way out of calling him crazy and ignored his requests. He proved himself right. The people did not care about those harmed by war. He knew that those were not truly affected by war did not care of its heinous acts. He was unable to achieve his goals because the powers in charge were not willing to help him in his time of need. This issue of personal liberty shows how quickly war will tarnish this.
This novel’s method of storytelling is a key factor in the delivery of the theme. Trumbo is keenly aware of the fact that Joe is the only person that the reader will experience throughout the novel. However, the novel is not in Joe’s direct thoughts. Trumbo creates a limited third person that will give us Joe’s thoughts from a person that can read Joe’s thoughts. The purpose of this choice was to give the reader the notion that the information that has been given is accurate and reliable. Joe constantly has flashbacks and fits of anger that would have the reader question his legitimacy as a narrator. Trumbo knows that the point of his novel is not to hear Joe’s message from raw, emotional thoughts. His intentions were to have the message of the story resonate with the readers. It would not have been possible with his self-narration. Additionally, this narration style makes Joe a passive character. The use of “he” instead of “I” does not give Joe the control of having power in the novel. The use of this passive style is the important factor that gives another way to show Joe is not able to control his life. The novel proves this through many setbacks he has physically, and it also shows this as he does not have the ability to narrate his own story. The point of view is a crucial vehicle for the theme to get across, as it helps reinforce it.
The anti-war sentiment of this novel is expressed by sub-themes and point of view.

Additionally, the use of point of view is to add depth to the meaning of this novel. Trumbo proves that he is not afraid to act a normal and widely-accepted belief. He is not worried about acting war beliefs. He wants to inform the reader that the emotional side of the war is detrimental to soldiers. This novel gives an emotional side to an otherwise strategical battle. Johnny Got his Gun is a novel that attacks the core of the values that sent the US to war: democracy and liberty. These two fundamental rights are questioned by Joe. He feels that the ability to walk and talk and lead a normal life is something that all people should be able to do. He is not worried about having the protections the US affords him, or the liberty that he fought to defend. Joe is the personal side to war that Trumbo wants to expose for everyone to see. The ability to understand what Joe is thinking is part of the reasoning behind the part of speech. He is not the direct storyteller. This allows Trumbo to erase the debate of a reliable narrator and focus on the themes that he wrote for the story. This novel not only attacks war, but it is meticulous in pulling apart its faults and

atrocities.