This year we have been learning about different components of a novel. We studied the text The Hero of Hacksaw Ridge, which is based on the true story of Desmond Doss. Having read the novel about Doss I realise that sometimes we have to challenge our perception of normal to achieve our goals. Below is an essay I wrote on the novel discussing an important decision Desmond had made.
Hero of Hacksaw Ridge is a novel based on Desmond Doss’s experience during World War Two. The book was released on the 1st of January 2016 by Booton Herndon. He tells the story of Desmond T. Doss and his experiences. The author uses symbolism, specifically his bible to represent his commitment to his faith. The author also used setting to highlight the challenging situation he was in and the decision that he would have had to make that could have caused him his life.
Desmond makes the decision to head into the war without any weapons whatsoever. I think he did this because he was guided by his religion and his beliefs. He had a strong relationship with his god. Desmond enrolled in the army for the purpose to heal not to fight, he had strong beliefs that thou shall not kill. Desmond stood up for what he believed in and made the decision that no matter what he will not pick up or use a gun. Throughout the book Desmond stayed true to his beliefs that he would not wield a weapon. His peers treated him very poorly, they called him a coward, shaming him for carrying his bible like he did his values.Everywhere he went he took both. But still he remained true and kept his dignity. Desmond refused to give in to what they wanted and expected him to do in order to not betray himself and his beliefs. He could’ve had a much easier time if he had succumbed and just done what he was told but he never folded. He knew that he was a healer and not a fighter.
Making this decision would take courage. Waltzing into the Okinawa battlefield with many armed men out to kill with no weapons to keep you protected takes guts. He still carries his bible with him which makes it really evident that the author wanted to show how faithful he was with this symbol of faith. Desmond refusing to give up on what he believes truly shows you his integrity and his faith. Desmond always has and always will remain faithful. It shows that Desmond even in dire situations will continue to keep faithful and keep true to his morals. He clearly is very loyal to himself, his god and his country. Desmond is a very courageous and loyal person. He helps without a second thought with no expectation of anything in return. Desmond was the only ever conscientious objector ever to receive A Medal of Honour. Doss not only didn’t carry a weapon but made his way into the battlefield and carried 70 wounded, bloody men out to safety.
Let’s say that everybody had had the same mindset and Desmond both then and now, the world would be a whole lot different. The conflict would be resolved, the wars would lessen and or stop and all those mass murders would be gone. In many ways Desmond is very admirable; he shows great signs of selflessness and integrity.
Having to imagine what it was like to be in the middle of one great big war without protection. Being relentlessly bullied and shunned, I could never fathom what that man went through just to stick up for his beliefs.
The author uses a flashback to demonstrate Desmond’s relationship with his faith showing us when he would gaze at all the religious pictures on the walls soaking them in. when looking at the painting of Cain and Abel not being able to fathom the thought of killing your brother. The author shows us how he grew up in a severely religious household that attended church regularly. Showing us how he grew up this way not knowing anything else. Desmond knows nothing but religion making this whole being, Desmond will continue to be faithful throughout his whole life and will even encourage people to attend. The author shows us how his character grew and how he is moulded as a person due to his upbringing. Desmond always has and always will have a strong relationship with his religion; he puts it full front and center all of the time. Which leads him to make his potentially life threatening decision to never wield a weapon. He strolls into the battle knowing it could be his last in order to save many wounded men. Desmond will always reflect back to his past and never give up his beliefs, showing up to do what he can for his country to remain loyal. The author many times mentions his relationship with his faith in order to show why he has done this all and made all these decisions.
The author uses Desmond’s bible as a symbol of what he truly holds near and dear to him. Showing us what guided him to make such a difficult decision. It shows that he will be very faithful to his values.
Desmond T. Doss was a man of god and a man of his country. Desmond Doss did many extraordinary things in his lifetime that truly shows the kind of man he is. One of high integrity and especially one of true greatness.