"Point the way and we will point the gun"

What does Joe realize that the end of the novel? What is he pointing the gun for?

Joe realizes at the end of the novel that the people that make others kill are the ones, ironically, in charge. It's not them pointing the gun or doing the work. Joe also comes to the conclusion that the whole idea of war is irony because in order to prevent fighting, you must fight. So now that Joe has come to this realization of what he believes, he is willing to fight for it. He is willing to fight for his country if it's good and fitting.

At the end of the book, Joe is pointing the gun towards the men that tell him to fight. One of the quotes I really like in the last chapter is, “You plan the wars you masters of men plan the wars and point the way and we will point the gun” (p,242). Joe knows that he has to point the gun at the masters because they the ones causing the deaths in the war.

Joe's Desires

Do you agree with Joe’s desires? Would that be what you wanted in a similar situation?

I definietely agree with Joe's desires to communicate his sufferings and ideas to others. Once he realizes that the nurse actually understands why he is tapping,, he is so unbelievably happy. So why wouldn't he want to keep on communicating and tell people his story if he is able to get that feeling every time?

If I was in a similar situation, I think I would do just about anything to get out of the hospital. If acting like a warning was the way, then hell, I'd take it - and I would much rather that than die. Also, if you didn't want to that opportunity and be a "spokesmen" for what you went through and allow others to walk right into a similar situation... it just wouldn't be a good feeling to have. As one of my friends once said... "Nobody likes a wallflower!" Take action and do something.

P.S. This is my 80th post. Dang.

What Joe Wants, Joe Can't Get

What does Joe want? Why does he want it? Why is it against regulations?

In the second half of the book, Joe tries to learn how to communicate with others and be understand. It is after he feels a vibration in his throat, a noise the nurse can hear, that he realizes that he can potentially use that with others. Joe also remembers Bill Harper using telegraphing as a form of communicating, and so Joe goes and decides to tap his head in Morse code as his way of talking to others.

Joe then has the idea to take this new form of communication outside of the hospital. He wants to be an educator and show the affects of the war. This however, does not sit well with the government and is against their regulations; the terrible horrors of war would be then exposed. People would see how this man has no limbs and no face, and would not be willing to send more soldiers into such dangerous areas.

Poor Joe

How injured is Joe? How much does it matter?

Johnny Got His Gun starts off with Joe being severely injured in WWI . It's actually really sad because as the book processes, Joe realizes he doesn't have any limbs - including a face. That leaves him without any senses; he is blind, deaf, and can't smell.

This matters to Joe because he is reminiscences his past and is struggling with remaining in a good state of mind. Further, without being able to really experience anything or communicate, his injury puts Joe in a predicament because he must live "inside" his head. He is unlike any other man.