Examples Of External Conflict In Johnny Got His Gun

In Johnny Got His Gun, there are both internal and external conflicts. One example of external conflict can be seen, when Joe’s girlfriend went out with another guy named Glen Hogan. “He remembered all over again the rage he felt when Bill Harper told him that Diane was going out that night with Glen Hogan” (Trumbo 50). In this quote, it shows how much he hated Glen Hogan when he found out his girlfriend going out with him. This shows a conflict between two characters, Joe vs. Glen Hogan. Another example of external conflict can be seen, when he found out his best friend, Bill Harper, lied to him about his girlfriend going out with Glen Hogan instead it was him who went out with Joe’s girlfriend. “When he got out from between the trees the starlight fell on his face. It was Bill Harper” (Trumbo 54). “He had lost the

Bill Harper. Joe understands the fact that he and Bill can never have the same relationship as before because of what Bill did to Joe. So another conflict was seen which was once again between two characters, Joe vs. Bill Harper. Another example of external conflict can be seen when Joe decided that he would rather have his life back instead of democracy, freedom, honor, decency, and independence. “I would rather do that than be dead. I would trade democracy for life. I would trade independence and honor and freedom and decency for life. I will give you all these things and you give me the power to walk and see and hear and breathe the air and taste my food” (Trumbo 122). This quote shows how he would have not fought in the war for all of those things and stayed at home with Kareen and his family. He would rather not have those things like freedom and independence and in exchange still have his legs, arms, mouth, ears, and eyes. This shows another external conflict which Joe vs. the society.

An example of an internal conflict that can be seen in Johnny Got His Gun is when he talks to himself about what’s so good about not having