Johnny Got His Gun By Dalton Trumbo Analysis

In a short passage from Johnny Got His Gun, Dalton Trumbo was able to describe a deep relationship between a father and son in just a few paragraphs. Trumbo does this by comprising several writing techniques while using an experience that allows the reader to grasp a recollection of their past relationship, as well as present. In this passage, several literary methods such as point of view, selection of detail, syntax and tone are utilized in order to characterize the relationship between a young man and his father.
Trumbo cleverly decided to use a third person point of view in order to describe the history between Joe and his father, while also contributing details of their personal thoughts and characteristics. He writes, “Each summer they came to this place…they fished in the lakes and while they slept (the streams) sounded in their ears all night long. They had been coming here ever since he was seven.”(6) in order to imply the closeness between the two men while establishing the significance of the setting in the story. In this instance, Trumbo’s selection of detail also prepares the readers for the conflict that is about to take place; he shows that this event is a tradition that has yet to change. He first mentions the conflict when he reveals, “Now he was fifteen and Bill Harper was going to come
As this story unravels, the reader is able to observe the changing of a relationship, tradition, and young man. While reading, each character appears equally content, yet neither is truly pleased. The root of the unhappiness in each character is due to the change that has occurred in Joe and in their tradition. While his father accepts his change of mind, he is quite obviously offended and most likely feels hurt by Joe’s decision. On the other hand, Joe expresses sorrowfulness. This leaves the reader’s mind focused on the past, when the relationship was ideal and each character was happy; reminiscing in the