1. Born on the Fourth of July Source: http://www.megaessays.com/viewpaper/98553.html

2. The idyllic 1950's to the turbulent 1960's represented a dynamic shift in American culture. The idyllic 1950's to the turbulent 1960's represented a dynamic shift in American culture. The end of World War II prompted a boom economy and the American dream of having your own house with the white picket fence was born. The end of World War II prompted a boom economy and the American dream of having your own house with the white picket fence was born.

3. Although the 50's were picturesque in some respect, the end of WWII entrenched a deep fear of Communism. Although the 50's were picturesque in some respect, the end of WWII entrenched a deep fear of Communism. As America entered Vietnam, the conservative ideals of the WWII generation clashed with the rising student and youth awareness. As America entered Vietnam, the conservative ideals of the WWII generation clashed with the rising student and youth awareness. The movie, Born on the Fourth of July, represents a modern view of the Vietnam War era and the transformation that occurred throughout the country with varying degrees of historical accuracy. The movie, Born on the Fourth of July, represents a modern view of the Vietnam War era and the transformation that occurred throughout the country with varying degrees of historical accuracy.

4. The opening scene of the movie depicts the mood of the country in the mid- to late fifties. The opening scene of the movie depicts the mood of the country in the mid- to late fifties. It romanticizes war with the parade scene and the kids playing army. It romanticizes war with the parade scene and the kids playing army. This plays on the theme that some war is good, or at least justifiable. This plays on the theme that some war is good, or at least justifiable.

5. Kovic, the main character of the film, is a patriotic person wanting to serve his country and believing that Vietnam would be his chance. Kovic, the main character of the film, is a patriotic person wanting to serve his country and believing that Vietnam would be his chance. As Kovic and his friends discuss entertaining the Marines, the ideas of containment and the domino theory are discussed. As Kovic and his friends discuss entertaining the Marines, the ideas of containment and the domino theory are discussed. The ideas of the McCarthy age shine through when Kovic bluntly states that Communism needs to be stopped. The ideas of the McCarthy age shine through when Kovic bluntly states that Communism needs to be stopped.

6. The eventual shift to Kovic’s anti-war opinion is tied closely to the feelings of the nation as a whole although once again one-sided. The eventual shift to Kovic’s anti-war opinion is tied closely to the feelings of the nation as a whole although once again one-sided. Kovic is shot in the second war scene and taken back to the states. Kovic is shot in the second war scene and taken back to the states.

7. The portrayal of the war itself was flawed and completely one-sided. The portrayal of the war itself was flawed and completely one-sided. The first time that Kovic is introduced as a Marine he is on his second tour. The first time that Kovic is introduced as a Marine he is on his second tour. This scene emphasizes that America had not lost a war, and that Americans as a whole feared communist encroachment. This scene emphasizes that America had not lost a war, and that Americans as a whole feared communist encroachment.

8. The movie is incredibly one-sided in its interpretations of events and has no qualms in stating who the director thought was right and wrong. The movie is incredibly one-sided in its interpretations of events and has no qualms in stating who the director thought was right and wrong. He transforms from a product of his parents, a young marine, to a demonstrator and a product of his own generation. He transforms from a product of his parents, a young marine, to a demonstrator and a product of his own generation. The events depicted throughout the movie are based on historical truth although highly over-dramatized and with a lot of artistic license. The events depicted throughout the movie are based on historical truth although highly over-dramatized and with a lot of artistic license.

9. The movie does deal with a lot of the cultural changes that occurred throughout this time era, and it does demonstrate the general mood of the country. The movie does deal with a lot of the cultural changes that occurred throughout this time era, and it does demonstrate the general mood of the country. As Kovic is repeatedly haunted by the visions of the war, you see him transform. As Kovic is repeatedly haunted by the visions of the war, you see him transform.

10. Kovic's stay at the Veterans Hospital symbolized the lack of respect and inhumane treatment that the soldiers received when they returned to the country. Kovic's stay at the Veterans Hospital symbolized the lack of respect and inhumane treatment that the soldiers received when they returned to the country. The Civil Rights Movement is in full swing, and if you aren't part of the solution you are part of the problem. The Civil Rights Movement is in full swing, and if you aren't part of the solution you are part of the problem. One can see dynamic cultural shifts of the 1960s being represented. One can see dynamic cultural shifts of the 1960s being represented. Kovic's journey is symbolic of his generation as a whole representing cultural shifts. Kovic's journey is symbolic of his generation as a whole representing cultural shifts.

11. One of the war scenes showed the Marines killing a family, leaving a baby to die, and the killing of a Marine by a Marine. One of the war scenes showed the Marines killing a family, leaving a baby to die, and the killing of a Marine by a Marine. Such graphic film sequences are consistent with the text of the novel. Such graphic film sequences are consistent with the text of the novel.