John Dos Passos Influence

“ The only way to find out what kind of lives people led in any given period is to tunnel into their records and to let them speak for themselves” John Dos Passos (1896-1970). John Dos Passos and his works were very influenced by his world travels, World War 1, and the things he witnessed. During World War I John Dos Passos was employed as an ambulance driver. He witnessed horrors of the war that was a big influence in his writing. After the war John became a major novelist and the things he witnessed play very strongly into his works. In his younger years John Dos Passos traveled the world. He spent time in Spain, Mexico, Belgium, and England. While traveling he was inspired by the many beautiful places he visited. He

Elizabeth criticizes the Imagery and Characterization of Passos “Three Soldiers”. She feels that in the novel he does not provide enough details and insight into how the soldiers are feeling. He states that the soldiers hate the war but never says why.

I do agree with the criticism because he does not really explain a lot about how or why they hate the war and it makes it harder for the audience to get the full effect of the book.

“It’s almost worth having been in the army for the joy your freedom gives you” (Passos).

Passos says this but never really writes about the “ joy of freedom “ in the army.

“ People don’t choose their career, they are engulfed by them” (Passos).

Many of the men in the army did not choose to be there, they were drafted. That could have been a reason on why they hated the army.

“ There is some complaint that all they do is go on marches, although we are never there when they “do” go on marches.He does not resolve the complaint. There is very little detail about all their marches. Johns experiences in World War I, traveling the world, and the things he witnessed made him a very successful writer.War is a realistic thing and writers should not treat it like they are caricatures because they are real