Johnny Got His Gun Themes

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Dalton Trumbo, author of Johnny got his Gun, deals with the dual themes of life and death. Therefore, his novel gives an anti-war message and the main character is crushed by naturalistic forces. The novel first focuses on “The Dead” which is an anti war introduction to Joe Bonhman involvement in the war. He undergoes multiple injures and as a result this character is subjected to seclusion and isolation from society. The second part of the novel is “the living” Joe Bonhman reconnects with society by communicating through the use of morse code and by analyzing vibrations in the floor. He is reborn into society. However, Joe undergoes a second symbolic death. He is denied his request to go into the world and serve as an anti-war figure. Joe wants desperately to deliver to the nations of the world …show more content…

He did not consider the consequences that come with it. Joe feels like he is a baby in a womb because of his injuries which include all his limbs, nose, sight, ability to hear and speak, sense of smell, and taste. The womb imagery is also the isolation theme because he is dependent on others for his life. He is even fed through a tube like a baby in the womb. Joe comes within realization that, “He would never be able to say hello...hear music...breathe in the smell of steak...to see the faces of people who made you glad to see them… he would never walk with his legs on the ground..” (Trumbo 80). Joe will miss doing these things and therefore, feels physical and emotional pain. Joe Bonham is a victim of war and he is forever changed physically, mentally and spiritually. He feels as if he doesn't have a reason to live. He is trapped in a hospital bed his whole life and hopes to end his life by sending tubes into his organs or simply suffocating himself. In addition, he questions why he survives and under what circumstances this occurs. He feels that he is dead and that he cannot continue on in pain he is

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