This novel revolves around Joe Bonham, an infantryman in World War I who suffers severe injuries. It reveals the extent of his wounds, which include significant facial disfigurement and eventual amputations of his limbs, leaving him as a faceless torso. The story is told through Joe’s inner thoughts, revealing his difficult struggle to maintain his humanity. Intertwined with memories from Joe’s past, the book explores important themes such as character development, personal growth, and immobility. However, the central focus is on the novel’s use of symbolism. Ultimately, it aims to highlight that war is not a glorious endeavor but rather a world filled with agony and hardship.
Life is an invaluable gift that should never be underestimated. There are those who advocate for opting for death with dignity rather than living in dishonor. However, this perspective is ill-advised as death is both enigmatic and irreversible. Johnny, despite surviving the explosive attack, underwent several surgeries that reduced him to a mere stump of existence, depriving him of sight, eating, breathing, smelling, touching, and walking abilities. It is only in this weakened condition that one can genuinely grasp the significance of life.
Johnny obtained a firearm with the intention of fighting for an unspecified cause. However, it remains unclear what precisely that cause entailed. Was he striving to establish a world characterized by democracy and security? Did his actions stem from a pursuit of fame, honor, or patriotism? Similar to numerous other unsuspecting individuals, Johnny was manipulated and dispatched to battle without fully comprehending the true nature of warfare. It was only when he witnessed the horrific spectacle of his childhood friend’s disemboweled entrails in the muddy trenches that he grasped the brutal reality of conflict.
In Trumbo’s novel “Johnny Got His Gun,” Johnny’s experiences during and after the war – which leave him confined to his bed for seven years – serve as a condemnation of both war and societal injustices. Through symbolism, Trumbo delves into various themes within the book such as abandonment, self-perception, human worth, institutionalization, isolation, suffering, survival, time, trauma, war,and medicine. It is only when an individual has lost all their limbs along with their ability to see or hear or speak or even smell and taste that they genuinely comprehend their profound sense of solitude.
Johnny remains in this condition for numerous years, yet he adamantly refuses to surrender. Abandonment is not an option for him, as he perpetually holds onto a glimmer of hope that he will one day discover a means of communication and escape his current confinement. Prior to his dreadful fate, Johnny’s life was filled with countless quintessential American experiences. In many respects, he embodied the essence of a typical American. The archetype of a typical American teenager was established long ago, and countless individuals conform to fit this mold. However, for adults, being a typical American varies greatly and can encompass any activity that is deemed typical by an American – whether it be attending a baseball game, going to the movies with parents, or enjoying a cola with a significant other.
During that time, all activities carried out were considered typical and aligned with the societal norms in America. Johnny perfectly exemplified the stereotype of a typical American. He would frequently accompany his father on camping trips and engage in fishing. As he grew older, his camping outings involved his close friends, such as Bill Harper and Glen Hogan. Furthermore, he would also frequent the cinema with his girlfriend Kareen.
Once, he and Bill made the decision to go to their local brothel, which they called Stumpy Telsas. They had heard many tales about it and now that they were 18 years old, they wanted to see it firsthand. It’s important to mention that not all American teenagers participate in activities like visiting brothels, drinking alcohol, or going camping. Nonetheless, during that time period, these activities were quite widespread. It is essential to grasp that the behaviors of a small group cannot represent an entire nation such as America.
Every individual is unique and will adapt their behavior to match societal norms as they change over time. Although people may not transform internally, they will alter their outward appearance and actions to conform to the prevailing standards. From my perspective, a typical modern American resembles a teenager from the early 20th century. This archetype socializes with friends, goes to the cinema, engages in sports, follows the latest fashion trends, attends parties, consumes hamburgers, hot dogs, and cola, plays video games, and visits the mall with their friends – common activities among teenagers. So could everyone be considered typical? I leave it up to you to answer that question. While I do not claim that American life holds greater value than others’, it is undeniable that Americans enjoy their freedom.
This allows individuals to protect themselves without fear of retaliation, as some people cannot make decisions without considering the consequences. However, the author argues against individuals dying for their country or any invalid reasons given by their country, like the American government’s dishonest explanations to its citizens. The author suggests that if soldiers were not fighting for liberty, they were fighting for independence or democracy or freedom or decency or honor or their native land or something else that lacked significance. In this story, Joe Bonham faces intense internal turmoil as he fights to survive and maintain his sanity while struggling primarily with communicating with the outside world.
He aspires to one day express his emotions and have his questions answered, ultimately satisfying his thirst. His longing is to escape his hospital room and be in the company of people, particularly Americans who share his nationality. Joe embarks on a quest to find “time” and, once he finds it, he proceeds to organize his surroundings. Despite struggling to orient himself for many years, he tries to connect with others by means of “communication.” His ultimate dream is to be among people in the outside world, even knowing he cannot communicate with them. The feeling of being around people, especially those from his homeland, would provide him with the utmost bliss. To pursue his objective, he endeavours to tap his head on his pillow.
Unfortunately, Joe’s initial attempts to communicate in Morse code by moving his head are misunderstood as seizures and he is given sedatives. Eventually, a newly assigned nurse understands his intention and informs the doctors. Joe’s main desire is to raise awareness about the horrors of war. He tells his caretakers that he could sustain himself financially by showcasing himself as a “freak” if they would release him. However, the response he receives is literally engraved on his forehead: “Your request goes against the rules.” At that moment, his last glimmer of hope disappears completely. There is nothing left for him to anticipate or keep him mentally stable; it has vanished forever.
