Hacksaw Ridge - Free Paper Sample

Introduction

Hacksaw Ridge is a recount to the original story of Desmond Doss. He was an American trooper who participated in the battle for Hacksaw Ridge on Okinawa in 1945. He became a famous character who participated in World War II without shooting a shot or in any event, conveying a weapon. Without any help, he rescued 75 men who were left behind during a tactical retreat, tended to the injured under fire, and cleared them from behind enemy lines. Due to these bravery acts, he received a Medal of Honor, making him the first conscientious objector to receive the prestigious award. His conviction not to take a life but rather to save it set him apart from the other military personnel.

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As a boy, growing up in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia, Desmond encountered various forms of violence. There was a scene showing how he fought with his brother, Harold, and finally hit him with a brick. He had also been a victim of domestic abuse. His father, on several scenes, abused Bertha Oliver, his mother. These events plus the fact that he was a Seventh Day Adventist member might have reinforced his belief that he should not kill.

Been a man of conviction, he underwent various humiliation, trials, and temptation at his fellow soldiers' hands. We see him being given a hard time by his commanding officers at the military base, getting roughed up at night, and getting prosecuted by Colonel Cooney. Regardless, he emerged a winner clinging to his faith and conviction. From this movie, various lessons can be drawn on different aspects of life and applied to our daily lives.

Leadership

Leaders should be a quick judge of character. Once in a while, there is no ideal opportunity for a leader to stop and completely survey an individual or circumstance truly. On occasion, a leader must take the restricted information he has and rapidly conclude how to continue. That implies that a leader must figure out how to measure somebody's character initially when fundamental. Both Captain Glover and Sergeant Howell were leaders at different levels. They had recruits for the war and had to prepare them for battles that they were to face. During their short period of interaction with the recruits, they had to be quick judgments of character. However, being a quick judge of character can lead to misjudging someone. This is the case with both Captain Glover and Sergeant Howell, who misjudged Desmond Dolls.

Leaders should be apologetic when they realize that they are wrong. After all, no one is perfect. Captain Glover apologizes to Desmond after he proved himself worthy to serve in the military by carrying out his duties during the battle and saving seventy-five soldiers. He also admitted that he was wrong to misjudge Desmond.

Leaders do not really require a title. During his training as a private, Desmond was humiliated and punished for his stand against not holding a weapon. At one point, charges were pressed against him for directly disobeying Colonel Cooney orders to wield a weapon. He, however, showed his leadership qualities by not suffocating under pressure. He stood with what he believed was right. As Desmond was getting ready to confront the combat zone, Medic Irv Schecter urged him to lose the markings assigned him as a medic because the Japanese on Okinawa were explicitly focusing on medics and the wounded. With that knowledge, Doss removed the white fabric recognizing him as a medic, and he additionally got an alternate headgear so the adversary would not comprehend what he was.

Leaders in government positions should advocate and protect the rights of people. They should use their power to uphold the constitution. Brigadier General Musgrove wrote a letter to a court-martial hearing of Private Desmond Doss advocating for a conscientious objector's rights. He explained that an act of congress protected the rights, and Desmond could not be forced to abandon his rights, which included his orders to bear weapons. Captain Glover respects Desmond's Sabbath during the battle. With humility, he asks Desmond to join them in battle on his Sabbath. Before the battle began, Captain Glover gives Desmond time to pray before commencing the assault.

Leaders are men of valor. They do not stay behind and let others fight for them. When confronted with challenges, they face them with courage. Over and over, the bravery of Desmond Doss was depicted as he helped the soldiers in need during the battle. He was left behind during a retreat in order to save other soldiers that were injured. He was also seen to deflect and kick two grenades that were thrown at them. Captain Glover leads his company to the frontline war zone, and he is part of the action. Sergeant Howell volunteered to stay behind so that Desmond Doss could save Private Hollywood, an act of courage.

Leaders persevere and keep pushing even when others give up. They adopt new strategies and continue with their pursuit even during difficult times. Desmond Doss could have given up saving his fellow soldiers' lives after he had saved a few. However, he encouraged himself and pushed on to save not ten or twenty but seventy-five soldiers.

Leaders are supposed to care and mind the welfare of those under them. They are supposed to give them wise counsel when in need. Captain Glover and Sergeant Howell are seen as good leaders since they question Desmond's ability to protect his fellow soldiers during combat. Captain Glover visited Desmond when he was detained for disobeying direct orders. During his visit, he tried to persuade him to plead guilty, avoid the case proceeding to court-martial, and ultimately avoid imprisonment.

A leader should be able to understand the dynamics of a team or a group. Sergeant Howell addresses his squad informing them that a team is as strong as its weakest member. He also informed the squad that they should be able to rely on each other especially during the battle. Captain Glover understands that in order to obtain success men in his company had to observe discipline. Captain Glover also understood people follow courage. It is the reason why he talked Private Desmond into joining the assault on a Saturday because the soldiers looked up to him.

War

In war, the goal is regularly to take ground and win. Be that as it may, a tactical retreat can sometimes be the best way to endure. An extraordinary commander comprehends that retreat when done at the ideal time and for the right reasons can sling one forward rather than pushing them backward. Before Captain Glover's company arrived, the United States soldiers fighting in Hacksaw's battle had climbed up the ridge six times and retreated all times. Captain Glover's company also retreated once. It is because of those retreats and re-strategizing that they were able to get hold of Hacksaw.

War results in enormous mortality and morbidity. Thomas Doss was seen visiting the grave of his fellow soldiers whom they served within the army, fighting in the battle of the Lys and Belleau Wood. Corpses are seen been transported in trucks as the recruits marched to Hacksaw. Many soldiers are seen shooting, throwing grenades, and burning foes. Many of them are fatally injured and die on the spot. Others died due to complications that ensued, such as shock. Some become physically disabled. One of the soldiers that Desmond rescued was dismembered.

War affects the mental wellbeing of individuals. Thomas Doss became a drunkard after fighting in the war. He, at one point, stated that serving in the military made him lose so much. At his friends' gravesite, He stated that they all died, including himself. He recounted in tears how his friend Artie Giddens got shot from the back. He also used to abuse his wife, sometimes causing a domestic disturbance. Bertha once told Desmond that Thomas did not do all that because he hated them but because he hated himself because he was different before the war. All that could have been signs that he had post-traumatic stress disorder, and he misused alcohol to mask the disorder.

War contradicts people's beliefs and ideology. Thomas warns Desmond that he was not the kind of person that can fit in the army. He pointed out that he had to sit, think, and pray about everything. He told Desmond that the beliefs that he had in his mind would not play out the way he thought they would. He also warned him that war could change his faith.

Family and Parenthood

A Father's impact on their children is strong. Fathers have an unfathomable voice in the lives of their children. The impact ought to be employed with extraordinary consideration. Their activities, positive or negative, make a direction for their children that cannot be completely comprehended in the present time and place. The conduct depicted by Desmond’s' father, Thomas Doss, set Desmond's direction and perspective as a grown-up. Thomas Doss became a drunkard after he served in World War II. He occasionally caused domestic violence as he shouted at his wife, threatened her, and sometimes beat her. Sometimes, domestic violence would cause a neighborhood disturbance, and at one point, a neighbor is heard trying to intervene. At one scene, Thomas is shown holding a gun threatening to shoot Bertha Oliver, his wife. Luckily, Desmond dashes into the scene and disarms his father. He then points the gun at him. Thomas dares Desmond to pull the trigger, but he declines. Desmond states that it was after that moment he swore to God never to hold a weapon.

A mother plays an equally important role in the family as the father. Naturally, mothers are more compassionate and caring. Bertha tends to Desmond’s brother, Harold, after Desmond hits him with a brick on his head. She also chooses to show Desmond compassion after he hit Harold by asking Thomas not to hit him. She questions what hitting him would accomplish since he was already violent. She further goes on to console Desmond telling him that Harold would be okay. She also taught him that murder is a grave sin and that taking a person’s life is the most shockingly bad sin in the Lord’s sight.

During bringing up children, parents might occasionally argue about what is best for their children. It is common because individuals have different opinions. It is their responsibility to air out what they think is right and what is wrong. Thomas thought that he should not stop his two sons from fighting. That way, he only got to whip the winner saving him from whipping them both. Bertha objected that and opted for them to stop fighting at once. The two agreed that it is best for their children not to join the army. Since they believed that, they counseled their sons against it. Thomas especially did that by speaking of his experience in the army with much bitterness.

It is the parents' responsibility to pass on their faith to their children and raise them according to it. Whether the children decide to continue or reject it in the future should be their personal decision. Thomas and Harold are brought up in the Seventh Day Adventist Church and are taught their Christian values. There was wallpaper on the wall showing the Lord's Prayer and the Ten Commandments. The wallpaper was most likely put there by the parents. Desmond was shown to serve at a church and volunteer to take an injured person to the hospital, depicting kindness.

Conclusion

Thus, been a man of conviction, he underwent various humiliation, trials, and temptation at his fellow soldiers' hands. We see him being given a hard time by his commanding officers at the military base, getting roughed up at night, and getting prosecuted by Colonel Cooney. Regardless, he emerged a winner clinging to his faith and conviction. From this movie, various lessons can be drawn on different aspects of life and applied to our daily lives.