U.S. History 10
World War I Literature
Analysis and Comparison Assignment
35 points
Name____________________
Over There Background and Questions
Over There is America's best-known World War One song. Written by George M. Cohan the
song was widely performed by various artists (initially by Charles King) from its publication in
1917.
Cohan later recalled that the words and music to the song came to him while travelling by train
from New Rochelle to New York shortly after the U.S. had declared war against Germany in
April 1917. Cohan himself was formally recognized by Congress with the award of the U.S.
Congressional Medal of Honor - albeit in 1940.
1. Why do you think the Cohan called the soldier in this song Johnny?
2. What is a Hun?
3. Based only on this song, what do you think mothers and fathers felt about their sons going to war in
Europe in 1917?
4. Propaganda is communication aimed at influencing the attitude of a community toward some cause
or position. Propaganda often presents facts selectively (thus lying by omission) to encourage a
particular synthesis, or uses loaded messages to produce an emotional rather than rational response to
the information presented.
Is Over There pro-American, pro-war propaganda? Include three lines from the song to support your
answer.
5. Did Over There paint a positive or negative picture of war? Explain your answer, including at least two
lines from the song. It is okay to use similar lines in #4 and #5.
Johnny Got His Gun Background and Questions
Johnny Got His Gun is an anti-war novel written in 1938 (published 1939) by American novelist and
screenwriter Dalton Trumbo. There is a background paragraph at the start of the reading.
1. If the character’s name is Joe Bonham why does Trumbo call the book Johnny got His Gun?
2. In the first paragraph what does Joe (narrator) compare himself to?
3. Read the last two sentences in the firs paragraph carefully. Does Joe consider himself a hero? Explain
your answer.
4. In the second paragraph Joe says war is a potential win-win situation for men whether they go to
fight or not. Explain why?
5. What are 10 things Joe Bonham will never need again?
6. What has Joe consumed more of than any living man, according to him?
7. After bragging about all the things he will never need to worry about again, what does Bonham say to
ease the jealousy of other men?
8. American children are rightfully brought up to admire soldiers and the sacrifices they make for the
country. They are also taught to view war as a heroic and necessary event. Based on paragraphs 3-5,
what do you think the author, Trumbo, thinks about these notions? Explain your answer completely.
9. Would you ever read Dalton Trumbo’s nursery rhymes to your child while rocking them to sleep at
night? Why/why not?
10. Why does Joe paint such a disgusting picture of himself for college girls in paragraph #6?
11. Paragraph #7 is aimed at college age men. Explain in your own words what Joe is saying to these
young men about what they are studying and what the future may hold for them.
12. Why does Joe want to be at all the political discussions about war, trade, economics, etc… all the
world over as explained in paragraphs 8 and 9?
13. What is author Trumbo’s attitude of organized religion? Explain with support from the reading.
In the space provided below compare the portrayal of war presented in Over There and Johnny got His
Gun. Your answer should be in the form of an essay and should present both your ideas and excerpts
from the reading and the song. How are they different? Are they similar at all? Take your time and
gather your thoughts before beginning to write. This question is worth 10 of your 35 points.