Representations of War: Johnny Got His Gun by Donald Trumbo - Book Report/Review Example

Name: Tutor: Course: Date: Johnny Got His Gun The novel ‘Johnny got his gun’ written by Dalton Trumbo is one of the most powerful novels written about war. It was produced about World War 1 and its theme is coiled fully around the war. Dalton Trumbo most likely produced it to enlighten people on the effects of the then just concluded war on the lives of those involved. He uses a young man Joe as the main character to pass his information across. Joe had been hit by artillery in France during World War I. Joe is affected so much because he can do nothing for and to himself even though he wishes to. He only feels other people touching him but he cannot hear or see them (Trumbo, Sheehan 21). This novel is fictitious but talks about the reality in society since it was set about the First World War. Everything was still fresh in the minds of the readers especially those who were keenly following the war. It was practical and true because it talks about a character whose story reflected the reality on the battlefield. Dalton Trumbo did not choose to write a fiction story for the sake of mere entertainment. If it was mere fiction it could have passed the message across but not with the weight that this story did. The way it was written makes it carry a lot of reality with it. This is because the things happening in the novel especially to Joe are very difficult to read. They look like they are not true and real. But this is the truth of the matter. Joe had actually gone through what is being described in the novel. He had nothing to make him become a ware of himself except his senses. He could not touch, scratch himself even when he felt like, breath or do anything by himself. He wants to feel the presence of his nose, arm, face but he cannot. He tries to use his nerves to do that but still they cannot help him any further (Trumbo, Sheehan 50). This novel by Trumbo is openly showing the negative effects of war. It an anti war story which clearly shows how brutal war is. It shows how modern warfare can destroy the lives of people. He hides nothing about war and comes out clearly explaining things that many people may not want to read about. They are difficult to comprehend or even accept that they truly happen. This is an anti-war novel that seeks to discourage any further involvement in wars by any country and especially the country of origin to the author. Being an American Dalton Trumbo most likely sought to discourage his countrymen from being swift in engaging in wars. The tribulations of Joe are just used to show what could have happened to many others who came into contact with the weapons use din the war. Joe was a single case but a representative of several others who were killed or injured badly in World War I. Trumbo uses Joe’s body to show how inhuman the modern war can be (Trumbo, Sheehan 200). It is clear that any body reading this novel ‘Johnny Got His Gun’ would be touched in one way or another. Many people would develop a clear dislike for war as they get to understand its effects. This was the intention of the author of this novel. He wants people to see the ugly part of a war even if they have not personally been involved. This can make them at least campaign against wars. The author uses the symbol of a rat eating Joe’s wounded side to criticize war mongers who seem to be gaining from war when soldiers die and get injured. Joe wants his body to be taken around for people to see. He seeks to wash down the ideas of fighting for things like liberty and democracy (Trumbo, Sheehan 57). The author brings out in a very clear way the effects of the artillery on Joe and we see war in a negative perspective. We tend to empathize with the young man for having suffered in that manner. However there is also another aspect of this novel that seems hidden from the eye of the reader. Joe may have suffered greatly but he is an instrument of true nationalism. He was put in that condition because he went out to fight. Suppose your country is invaded by an enemy and there is nobody to defend it because everybody hates war, what would happen? Through Joe, Trumbo seeks to show us the hero in a person who values nationalism (Trumbo, Sheehan 83) A person who is willing to risk his life in a war that he believes will bring good to his nation. True nationalism is demanded of all people and it is displayed in this novel to the full. Many people want to call themselves nationals but they cannot engage in risky undertakings for their countries because they fear. True nationalism calls for suffering to whatever extend as long as the people and the country you are loyal to is not exposed to shame and ridicule by its enemies and without its people fighting for it. at the same time this novel discourages war it may also be encouraging war through nationalism which is loyalty to one’s nation even if it calls for fighting (Trumbo, Sheehan 158).From what we read in the novel we create an impression of the war that made Joe what he is. This kind of is the war that is fought by use of guns, artillery, missiles, bombs and other modern sophisticated weapons. These wars are fought between enemy countries and kingdoms. They are fought by dedicated soldiers and in other cases a way from their countries. Symbolically the novel exposes other warfare that exists between the poor and the rich. The rich and those with influence encroach into the territories of the poor and ravage them (Trumbo, Sheehan 77) Representations of society are seen in Joe’s thoughts and meditations about what has happened to him. He looks at the society as existing along an axis of ‘us’ and ‘they’. The ‘us’ he refers to is the people who work and are exploited by ‘them’ which refers to the rich. The ‘us’ can afford just little money to feed themselves. The ‘them’ in the novel are the ones who dictate the war and instead of fighting by themselves they force the poor workers to lift arms against other workers. This novel was produced at the end of the First World War. A lot of damage had been done both to property and the lives of people. Many soldiers and civilians had lost their lives or had been maimed or critically injured. The audience being targeted by the author is the capitalist society. This comprises of the moneyed upper class citizens who have the power in their hands (Trumbo, Sheehan180). In many things they tend to mistreat the poor. They send the soldiers to war to fight other soldiers on their behalf and hide behind reasons like democracy or liberty. The society as a whole may also benefit from this novel since everybody needs to understand the dangers of war to any nation. Many wars have been fought against the wishes of the citizens in the countries involved. If these citizens become a ware of the dangers of war they will then try and fight for their rights. However, the upper class comprising the rich need to hear the message more than the poor (Trumbo, Sheehan 100). There are a lot of issues being raise about war and society which for a basis for educating all the members of whichever society. The theme is about war and its negative effects as is seen on the body of Joe. However an element of entertainment can be noted here or there in the novel. The symbols used such as the rat, the state of Joe’s father and the idea of Joe wanting to be taken around in exhibition are all amusing. Nevertheless the level of entertainment in this novel is at its lowest since many people may find very little or no humor at all because of the shocking things unfolding in the novel. What one person finds as humor may be very saddening to the other (Trumbo, Sheehan 167). Conclusion In conclusion the novel ‘Johnny got his Gun’ by Donald Trumbo is an anti-war novel talking about the ill effects of the First World War on the soldiers involved and civilians as well. It shows the brutality of modern wars which are dictated by the rich and powerful in society. Many things come out in this novel which includes representations of realism and authenticity, anti-war, nationalism, different kinds of warfare, society, audience, entertainment and education. Generally the author seeks to discourage warfare since it only makes the rich take advantage of the poor in society through fake reasons such as democracy, liberty or patriotism. Works Cited Trumbo, Dalton, Sheehan Cindy. Johnny Got His Gun, Citadel Press, 2007. Read More