Dalton Trumbo's Analysis

While any war is a terrible thing, it is the outcome of a war that truly leaves the victims in a state of despair and devastation, as author Dalton Trumbo attempts to explore in his novel. The book title captures the reader, not only from the author’s perspective about war but also of compassion and one’s own mortality. Trumbo’s story about his main character Joe mimics his own life’s story. Very much like Joe, Trumbo came from a working-class family, lost his father, and worked at a bakery. Where the two parallel lives diverge is when Joe was sent off to war and Trumbo went off to University Of Southern California to study writing, criticism, and psychology (Dunbar, 2015). A fascinating fact, given the only tool Joe had at his disposal, was …show more content…
Joe is a good example of this sort of acceptance. He reaches an understanding that no matter how many unpleasant memories of the war that are causing his problems, which he carries in his thoughts, they do not change the fact that he is the way he is. Joe exhibited some level of acceptance early on, the simple fact that he did not dwell on the events that took away the majority of his body, instead he questions the logic behind leaving his whole life behind for the promise of peace. It is hard for any individual to get to the point of acceptance if the situation they are in could be avoided in the first place (Longley, 2015). Veterans who were maimed blamed their situation on the war and also on the failures that are associated with medicine and resources for rehabilitation. Probably, Joe’s situation could be improved if he had the right medical attention. Therefore, encouraging the victims to get to this point would be beneficial to their recovery. No amount of recognition or appreciation of the soldier’s sacrifices can take away the horrible proverbial scar that war brings to the soul. Today, soldiers who are maimed in one way or another are honored and are enrolled in programs that enable them to still be of use in society. This then gives them a new purpose and a sense that all is not lost. At least that is the desired intention. When Joe found his …show more content…
However, the difference in today’s medicine using modern technology ensures those who lose their limbs are able to move comfortably using artificial ones that are either automated or manual. Regardless of the fictional content of “Johnny got his gun,” it is a reality for most of the young men and women that have gone to war and lost themselves as a result. Dalton Trumbo’s intention for this novel was not to persuade Americans to not go to war, but rather really understand what might possibly happen and tear away the veil that keeps us brainwashed. As Americans, we are promised life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. When did life include the taking of another, when did liberty become ours to give or take and when did the pursuit of happiness become “Death before