War can be many things. It can be a solution to countless diplomatic struggles. It can serve as an effort to find peace, and it can also cause many changes to the opposing sides, as well as to the soldiers.War is such a controversial concept because there are so many risks that have the power to lead to death, depression, and even downfalls. Dalton Trumbo expresses these downfalls with his anti-war feelings in Johnny Got His Gun. World War I is shaking countless lives in this book, and the main character, Joe, is wrongfully taken to the battlefields to protect something he does not completely understand. Trumbo expresses the pain and grief that Joe feels after suffering from a terrible accident that almost cost him his life. War is not represented
…show more content…
His deliberate style of starting each sentence in identical ways helped bolden the idea that not everyone understands the extremities of war. No one understood what Joe really needed and wanted while he lay in his forsaken hospital bed. After finally finding a way to communicate using morse code, he had no idea what to ask for because what he desired was far greater than any possession they could bestow upon him. Joe thought , “Maybe they thought he wanted a new suit or a silk shirt. Maybe they expected him to complain that the bed was a little hard and please bring me a glass of water. Maybe they thought he would ask for a change of diet,” (Trumbo 221). Repeating the word “maybe” each time gave a clear interpretation that these are all simple and basic needs that Joe does not really care about. Joe simply wants his old life back with his arms, legs, sight, and loved ones. The people do not understand what Joe is going through to give him what he needs. No one else has had so much taken away that they know how to satisfy a damaged man. Joe explained what he wanted through morse code, and when a doctor came in with a reply to Joe’s desires, Joe questioned to himself “ Why didn’t they want him? Why were they shutting the lid of the coffin against him? Why didn't they want him to speak? Why didn't they want him to be seen? Why didn't they want him to be free?”(Trumbo 239). The constant repetition of “why” shows that Joe is questioning his life, but also presents that he knew there was no way he would ever receive “salvation” from this hell. He felt trapped like a slave with no freedom, and the doctors never understood what he was going through to raise his spirits. The anaphora really highlights the struggle inside of Joe that is causing him to feel confused, but yet lonely. He was a mere experiment to the medical world, a world who knew nothing
His deliberate style of starting each sentence in identical ways helped bolden the idea that not everyone understands the extremities of war. No one understood what Joe really needed and wanted while he lay in his forsaken hospital bed. After finally finding a way to communicate using morse code, he had no idea what to ask for because what he desired was far greater than any possession they could bestow upon him. Joe thought , “Maybe they thought he wanted a new suit or a silk shirt. Maybe they expected him to complain that the bed was a little hard and please bring me a glass of water. Maybe they thought he would ask for a change of diet,” (Trumbo 221). Repeating the word “maybe” each time gave a clear interpretation that these are all simple and basic needs that Joe does not really care about. Joe simply wants his old life back with his arms, legs, sight, and loved ones. The people do not understand what Joe is going through to give him what he needs. No one else has had so much taken away that they know how to satisfy a damaged man. Joe explained what he wanted through morse code, and when a doctor came in with a reply to Joe’s desires, Joe questioned to himself “ Why didn’t they want him? Why were they shutting the lid of the coffin against him? Why didn't they want him to speak? Why didn't they want him to be seen? Why didn't they want him to be free?”(Trumbo 239). The constant repetition of “why” shows that Joe is questioning his life, but also presents that he knew there was no way he would ever receive “salvation” from this hell. He felt trapped like a slave with no freedom, and the doctors never understood what he was going through to raise his spirits. The anaphora really highlights the struggle inside of Joe that is causing him to feel confused, but yet lonely. He was a mere experiment to the medical world, a world who knew nothing