Johnny Got His Gun Discussion Questions

1. What are Trumbo’s major and minor purposes in writing Johnny Got His Gun?

2. Dalton Trumbo chooses to use punctuation inconsistently throughout the novel. Pick a moment when his use of unconventional (or conventional) punctuation is particularly conspicuous. What is the effect of his punctuation and how does this effect fit into one of Trumbo’s larger purposes? [Note: you will notice that areas that are least conventionally punctuated are richest in rhetorical devices.]

3. Select a moment where Stream of Consciousness has a particularly powerful effect. How does this effect fit into one of Trumbo’s larger purposes?

4. What is the rhetorical function of the series of memories in Chapter 2? How does it prepare the reader for the argument that follows?

5. Summarize Trumbo’s arguments against war in Chapter 10. Refute them.

6. Identify significant allusions from a variety of places in the novel. What is the effect of these allusions and how do they help Trumbo achieve his purposes?

7. Make a list of Joe’s major memories over the course of the novel. What does this list reveal about Trumbo’s values? How does Trumbo use these values to support one or more of his larger purposes?

8. An important part of Trumbo’s argument is the persona he creates to tell his story. Describe the persona. How does he craft this persona to make his argument more effective?

9. The novel is divided into two parts. How are they similar? How are they different? Why did he divide the novel the way he did?

10. According to Trumbo, what does it mean to be fully human?

11. What is the most interesting element of the novel that we haven’t discussed as a whole class?