Why Did Maverick Throw Goose’s Dog Tags
The Mystery of Maverick’s Betrayal: Why Did He Throw Goose’s Dog Tags?
In the classic 1986 movie Top Gun, there is a scene that still haunts fans and critics alike. Maverick (Tom Cruise), the hotshot fighter pilot with a troubled past, is mourning the death of his wingman and best friend Goose (Anthony Edwards), who died in a tragic accident during a training exercise. Maverick blames himself for Goose’s death, but he also feels betrayed by his commanding officer, Viper (Tom Skerritt), and his rival, Iceman (Val Kilmer). However, it is another character, Charlie (Kelly McGillis), who triggers Maverick’s rage and confusion when she confronts him about his guilt and grief.
At one point, Charlie shows Maverick the dog tags that Goose wore around his neck. These metal tokens are engraved with Goose’s name, rank, and serial number, as well as his blood type and religion. They are standard issue for military personnel, who wear them as identification and emergency contact information. However, they also have emotional significance for soldiers and their families, who see them as symbols of honor, sacrifice, and memory. In the case of Maverick and Goose, the dog tags represent their bond as friends and brothers-in-arms.
Charlie hands the dog tags to Maverick and asks him why he threw them away after Goose died. Maverick denies doing so at first, but then admits that he did toss them in anger. He says that he didn’t need a piece of metal to remind him of Goose, because he had his memories instead. Charlie argues that the dog tags were not just scrap metal but a tangible link to Goose’s life and legacy. She tells Maverick that he can’t run away from his feelings or responsibilities by discarding or denying things that matter to him.
This scene raises several questions that have puzzled Top Gun fans for years. Why did Maverick throw Goose’s dog tags? Was it a sign of disrespect or indifference toward Goose, or a way of coping with his own pain and guilt? Did he regret doing so later, or did he find closure and peace without them? What do the dog tags symbolize in terms of Maverick’s character development and emotional journey?
To answer these questions, we need to look at the context and subtext of the movie, as well as the themes and motifs that run through it. We also need to consider the historical and cultural background of military culture and masculinity in the 1980s, when the movie was made and set.
Firstly, let’s examine Maverick’s personality and behavior before and after Goose’s death. Maverick is portrayed as a talented but reckless pilot who challenges authority and convention. He has a troubled relationship with his father, who died in combat, and seeks validation and acceptance from his peers and superiors. Goose is his closest friend and confidant, who balances out his impulsive nature with humor and loyalty. They share a love of flying, music, volleyball, and ice cream. They also have wives or girlfriends who support them but worry about their safety.
When Goose dies, Maverick is devastated by the loss of his friend but also overwhelmed by guilt and blame. He blames himself for not being able to save Goose from the accident, even though it was caused by mechanical failure. He lashes out at Viper for not trusting him enough, at Iceman for being too competitive, and at Charlie for questioning his motives. He also withdraws from his colleagues and refuses to fly again until he confronts his demons.
In this context, Maverick’s decision to throw away Goose’s dog tags can be seen as an expression of his anger and frustration with himself, others, and fate. He may have felt that the dog tags were a painful reminder of his failure and loss, and that he needed to distance himself from them in order to move on. He may have also felt that they were too sentimental or cheesy for his taste, and that he didn’t want to be seen as weak or vulnerable by keeping them. He may have even thought that Goose wouldn’t have wanted him to keep them, as a sign of mourning or attachment.
However, this act of defiance and denial can also be interpreted as a sign of Maverick’s immaturity and insecurity. By throwing away the dog tags, he is rejecting a part of himself that he shared with Goose, namely their friendship and camaraderie. He is also denying the reality of death and its impact on him and others. He is trying to escape from his emotional pain and responsibility by discarding something that has meaning and value for others.
Moreover, Maverick’s attitude toward Goose’s dog tags reflects a larger cultural trend in the military and society at large, namely the devaluation of emotions and intimacy among men. In the 1980s, the US armed forces were still recovering from the trauma of Vietnam War, which had exposed many flaws and injustices in the military system. One of these flaws was the lack of support for soldiers who suffered from mental health issues such as PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder), which often led to suicide or other forms of self-destructive behavior. Another flaw was the rigid gender roles and expectations that limited men’s expression of feelings other than anger or aggression.
Top Gun both reinforces and challenges these stereotypes through its portrayal of male bonding and rivalry, as well as its use of visual imagery and music. On one hand, the movie celebrates the thrill of flying and fighting as a form of masculine heroism, as well as the importance of teamwork and loyalty among pilots. On the other hand, it also shows how these virtues can be undermined by jealousy, insecurity, and fear. Maverick’s relationship with Goose is both a model of male friendship and a cautionary tale of how it can be shattered by tragedy and trauma.
Therefore, Maverick’s throwing away of Goose’s dog tags can be seen as a microcosm of the larger themes and conflicts in Top Gun, namely the tension between individualism and collectivism, between emotion and stoicism, between tradition and innovation. It shows how one man’s actions can have ripple effects on others, and how one moment of weakness or strength can define his character. It also shows how the use of humor and irony can lighten up the mood and make the audience feel more connected to the story.
In conclusion, the mystery of Maverick’s betrayal of Goose’s dog tags may never be fully solved, but it remains a compelling and poignant moment in cinematic history. Whether we see it as an act of defiance or denial, maturity or immaturity, heroism or cowardice, it reminds us that even heroes have flaws and fears that make them human. It also reminds us that the power of symbols lies not in their material value but in their emotional resonance. The dog tags may have been thrown away, but they still resonate with us as a symbol of friendship, love, and loss.
