The Man He Killed
by Thomas Hardy
Poetry analysis:
Thomas Hardy's poem 'The Man He Killed' focuses on the senselessness and futility of war, where a man has killed another quite simply because they were fighting on opposing sides in a war.
Written in the first person from the standpoint of one of the soldiers, the first stanza expresses the idea that the two men who fought would, had they in other circumstances met each other outside a pub, have enjoyed a few drinks ('right many a nipperkin') together. Yet it becomes clear in the second stanza that they in fact met as foot soldiers on opposing sides in a battle, and being confronted with each other, one had to die. The two men shot at each other, and the narrator's shot fatally injured the other man. The writer falters at the end of the opening line of the third stanza as he tries to justify his action. Repeating the word 'because', he states that he had to kill the other soldier since he was his enemy. The third line of this stanza features more repetition, this time of the word 'foe' (enemy); the use of phrases such as 'Just so' and 'of course' suggest that the narrator is trying to convince himself that his action was inevitable. The stanza, however, ends with the word 'although', telling us that the writer is not in fact at ease with the idea that he has killed his enemy. Using enjambment to link to the fourth stanza, the narrator reflects on the fact that the soldier he killed probably decided to join the army ('list is short for enlist) because he had no work and had sold his belongings. The narrator understands this, having been in a similar situation himself and having found himself with no alternative but to join the army. It was not a positive decision, but a last resort when there were no other options.
The final stanza reiterates the main theme of the poem, that war is a strange phenomenon because a soldier finds himself forced to kill a man that he would otherwise have bought a drink for or lent money to, had they met in times of peace. 'Half-a-crown' is the old British money, worth about twelve and a half pence in today's currency. In 1902 that would of course have had considerably more value than it does just over one hundred years later.
The poem is written in a conversational tone, with speech marks included, making us feel that the soldier is addressing us personally in an informal way, and pleading with us to understand his action in killing his enemy. The language is very straightforward and easy to comprehend with the exception of two or three words. There are five stanzas, each of four lines, all of which are inset to a certain degree other than the third in each stanza, creating a regular pattern on the page. The rhyme scheme and rhythm are also regular and give the poem quite a fast pace.
It is easy to appreciate this poem and to identify with the soldier and his feelings, sympathizing with his predicament and sensing that he regrets having had to kill his enemy. We understand that individual soldiers do not necessarily nurture hatred for those they are fighting against, but see them as human beings in circumstances similar to their own, enlisting in order to earn money and support a family. But when facing each other at close range, the reality of war kicks in and one of them must kill the other. The narrator here knows that he could easily have been the one to die. The idea that war is nonsensical when seen at the level of ordinary human beings who are obliged to carry out orders is evident throughout the poem.
Analysis 2
"The Man He Killed" was written in 1902 by Thomas Hardy, an English Victorian poet and writer of fiction. The poem, in the form of a dramatic monologue, is a wonderful example of Hardy's belief in meliorism and his anti-war sentiments.
The poem is spoken in first person, using a young soldier as the speaker. To summarize, the speaker is attempting to explain to others and to him why he killed another soldier, one from the opposing side. Many of Hardy's poems, including this one, reflect Hardy's belief in meliorism. Meliorists believe that society is constantly improving, but only through man's efforts. He felt that either there was not god to save us, or if there were a supreme being, He did not concern himself about man's fate. In other words, we had to save ourselves by helping one another and by being kind to all our fellow creatures.
Hardy was very concerned with man's inhumanity to man, and he felt that war was the ultimate form of this, being planned, organized inhumanity. The poem specifically addresses the Boer War, which Hardy was vehemently against.
The Boer War took place in South Africa, which was largely populated by Dutch farmers. Great Britain was in possession of lands surrounding the Boers. When gold and diamonds were discovered in the Boers' land, however, Britain desired the area, and the Boer War ensued.
"The Man He Killed" basicaly tells the story of a young soldier who off-handedly enlists into the infantry because he needs the salary. He does not fight for some lofty patriotic reason or because he believes in "the cause." After killing his foe, he ponders if perhaps the other young man entered the army for similar reasons:
He thought he'd [en]list, perhaps,
Off-hand, like, just as I -
Was out of work - had sold his traps -
No other reason why.
Off-hand, like, just as I -
Was out of work - had sold his traps -
No other reason why.
He explains that had he and the other soldier met under different circumstances, they would probably be buying each other pints in a pub instead of trying to kill each other:
Had he and I but met
By some old ancient inn,
We should have set us down to wet
Right many a nipperkin!
By some old ancient inn,
We should have set us down to wet
Right many a nipperkin!
The poem makes it obvious that the speaker understands the senselessness and futility of the war, yet he rationalizes his killing of the man:
I shot him dead because -
Because he was my foe.
Just so: my foe of course he was;
That's clear enough; although...
Because he was my foe.
Just so: my foe of course he was;
That's clear enough; although...
The last stanza sums up the speaker's views on the whole incident:
Yes; strange and curious war is!
You shoot a fellow down
You'd treat, where any bar is,
Or help to half a crown.
You shoot a fellow down
You'd treat, where any bar is,
Or help to half a crown.
Most of Hardy's poems are pessimistic, reflecting the dark side of man, especially his capacity for violence and cruelty, and this poem is no exception. In fact, "The Man He Killed" is probably one of the poet's most disturbing set of verses. It forces the reader to examine the brutality and inhumanity of war, and to ponder how humans are often victims of sheer circumstance and fate
Analysis 3
Innocent Murder
In a world filled with merciless crimes, it is not rare to hear of people losing their humanity. Instead, animalistic brutality takes over; chaos and greed conquer the harmony and compassion that most humans desperately long for. The poem "The Man He Killed" by Thomas Hardy illustrates the universal theme of inhumanity that is consequential of war. His anti-war message is incorporated through the elements of characterization, tone, and diction.
The theme of inhumanity is promoted by the narrator's characterization. While there are few details in this short poem, Hardy includes enough information for the reader to understand his perspective on man's inhumanity toward his fellow man. First of all, the young soldier never indicates that he joined the war for patriotic reasons; of course, war is not always about fighting for one's country or beliefs. While it has always been customary for uneducated men to join the army, the narrator doesn't seem to take pride in his country or duty. Rather, the soldier notes that he is doing it "off-hand," probably as a means to earn money. Armies are promoted as united citizens who are fighting for a cause; however, Hardy illustrates that this isn't true. After all, Hardy characterizes the narrator as being interested in personal gain when he mentions that he enlisted because he was out of work, and the poem fails to mention any cause or loyalty. In addition, Hardy illustrates that the narrator does not seem to know why he is killing another man and tries to justify his actions. In the lines "I shot him dead because— / Because he was my foe," the narrator appears to be searching for a reason as to why he is killing another soldier and cannot come up with an adequate answer; the young soldier has no real reason to kill another man except for the fact that he was instructed to by his commanding officers.
While the narrator's characterization is influential, the tone of the poem also promotes the theme of inhumanity. Hardy includes indications that he is pessimistic toward war and its effect on humanity; he illustrates war as a cold, planned act of inhumanity against a fellow man. The lines "You shoot a fellow down / you’d treat if met where any bar is, / or help to half-a-crown" promote that if the narrator and his "foe" had been in different life positions, they could have been good acquaintances or even drinking buddies. The narrator's subtle signs of remorse indicate that he is troubled by the calculated killing of war; in fact, he compares himself to his enemy, claiming that they are probably in the same situation and joined the army for similar reasons. Rather, the men's duties to their separate armies lead them to make decisions that include taking another's life.
While the poem's pessimistic tone is influential, the poet's diction also promotes the theme of inhumanity. The lines, "And staring face to face, / I shot at him as he at me, / and killed him in his place" demonstrate the cruelty of the battlefield. The image of the soldiers standing "face to face" and shooting at each other shows the inhumanity involved. The narrator didn't shoot at his enemy from an odd angle or position; rather, they are looking into each other's eyes and attempting to kill the other without personal reasons. In addition, Hardy uses the phrase "...just as I" to compare the narrator to his enemy. The narrator's comparison of himself to his enemy illustrates the humanity that is present within all people; he recognized his enemy as a human being and not simply a target. Also, the line "...quaint and curious war is" sounds quite unsettling to the reader if one contemplates its meaning. "Quaint" means charming or appealing and rarely is attributed to something as appalling as war. The diction in that line illustrates the callousness of war; the ironic wording demonstrates that people are unable to grasp soldiers' brutality and heartlessness. It isn't easy to kill another man, even if it is one's supposed duty. Hardy's choice of words causes the reader to feel the narrator's unsettling emotions about his situation.
War is a man-made creation, but it is not man's instinct to murder others. "The Man He Killed" demonstrates the perspective of a young soldier who struggles with his inhumanity in the middle of battle, and he is unable to find good reasoning in pulling the trigger. He never shows a distinct intent to kill another man, yet he does so because of his obligations to the army. Hardy wrote during the Boer War in 1902, its theme is timeless. However, just because it is common for mankind to fight and strike down one's fellow man, that doesn't mean humans desire conflict above peace.
how does the reader feel about conflict
ReplyDeletethis was helpful for me to understand the poem! thanks:)
ReplyDeletegiv me critical analysis for this poem..plz
ReplyDeleteHi, I just want to add that that in Analysis 3; Innocent War. Hardy actually 'bends the truth' to put his point of inhumanity across. the Boer War was one of the main starting points of guerrilla warfare [Rambo] where people would be hiding and crouching and then attacking each other as opposed to "face to face". The effect of adding in face to face affects the audience with shock at how warfare really is.
ReplyDeleteThat Is All
Thanks
This was a great help! Thank you xx
ReplyDeleteCan you say any two instances where the poet has justified his actions of killing enemy soldiers many times
ReplyDeletewhat makes this poem a British poem with just looking at the poem and author?
ReplyDeleteVery understandable
ReplyDeleteVery helpful thanks 😊
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