“Dulce et decorum est pro patria mori”, which translates to “It is sweet and honorable to die for the country”, is the phrase said by director Dalton Trumbo at the end of the film, Johnny got the gun. During World War I, the United States had the idea that one's country was worth dying for to make the world a “safe democracy.” For example, many young Americans volunteered to assist in the war even though they knew death was a reality. Furthermore, this belief was strengthened by the Sedition Act, which regulated all criticism of the war and the government until 1921. But it is certain that war is not a good option for anyone, especially young inexperienced soldiers. Many of these young soldiers returned with amputations or with Shell Shock, a “condition encompassing a range of physical and psychological symptoms,” even worse with either injury. Other returning soldiers suffered from post-traumatic disorder (PTSD), and U.S. hospitals were not prepared to handle these types of patients. After World War I, PTSD became a real problem. In the film Johnny Got His Gun, director Dalton Trumbo showed the social tensions that occurred on American soil during World War I, through the idea that no one knew what fighting for democracy truly meant; however, this “courageous” effort had a destructive effect not only on the soldier himself, but also on society. We say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an Original Essay The idea of ​​“fighting for democracy” was an unclear concept used by the United States government to convince people to join the military, but what its meaning was, no one knew. In the film, a flashback of young Joe asking his father "What is democracy?" is shown. His father replied, "Well, it's never been clear... I think it has something to do with young people killing each other." The conversation between the two characters shows the audience that young adults were not aware of the true meaning of democracy, but only predicted the violent outcome of the war. In the poem Rendezvous, the author recited, “I have a rendezvous with Death/On a contested barricade,” meaning that many young soldiers went to war only to face death and saw only the danger of war. Instead, adults were instilled by their parents with the belief that fighting for democracy was the right thing to do, and this was part of their moral values. Likewise, during World War I, Woodrow Wilson, the president of the United States, was a classic progressive, a staunch supporter of democracy and capable of creating a just and equitable society. “The world must be made safe for democracy…. We are but one of the champions of the rights of humanity” were the 5 words of Mr. Woodrow Wilson with which he approached his citizens, indirectly forcing them to contribute to avoiding oppression and promoting democracy. In the Declaration of War against Germany, President Wilson exclaimed: “We desire no conquest, no dominion. We seek no indemnity for ourselves, no material compensation for the sacrifices we will freely make." In the film, an allusion to Jesus Christ is made through the words of little Joe and his father. Joe asked his father if he would be sent to war, so, his father explained, "For democracy, every man would give his only begotten son." God let his son die for our sins on the Cross, which shows the same point of view as the Magi. The firm belief that wise men had to send their own.