War, Guilt, and the Shattered American Dream: A Study of Trauma and Disillusionment in Born on the Fourth of July and Selected Poems

Abstract

This paper examines the enduring psychological, moral, and cultural consequences of war through a comparative analysis of Born on the Fourth of July and three First World War poems: Futility by Wilfred Owen, Suicide in the Trenches by Siegfried Sassoon, and Break of Day in the Trenches by Isaac Rosenberg. Drawing upon trauma theory and memory studies, the paper argues that war does not end with the cessation of armed conflict; rather, it continues to shape individual consciousness and collective memory through trauma, guilt, fractured identity, and social alienation. By analyzing Ron Kovic's transformation from an idealistic soldier to an anti-war activist alongside the poetic representations of physical suffering, psychological devastation, and moral disillusionment, the study demonstrates how both cinematic and literary narratives challenge heroic constructions of warfare. The comparative reading reveals recurring themes of loss, silence, memory, and the failure of nationalist ideals, illustrating that the true legacy of war lies in its enduring emotional and cultural aftermath. Ultimately, the paper contends that Born on the Fourth of July and the selected poems collectively present war not as a finite historical event but as an ongoing psychological and ethical condition that continues to influence individuals and societies long after the battlefield has fallen silent.