Remains

• "On another occasion"
• "On another occasion"


  In media res

  Starts abruptly, which reflects the idea that he is in the middle of a

  conversation. Suggests this is one memory from many like it which add to trauma

  Confuses the reader initially as they don't know what's going on

  This also mirrors the confusion of the soldiers as they are not emotionally prepared for what will come next.
• "On another occasion"


  Societal comment- suggesting that soldiers are launched into situations that they don't fully understand, and the military lack of compassion for the individuals they are risking in strategic military situations

  The poem reflects the chaos and unpredictability of war.
• "Probably armed, possibly not"

  Caesura

  Guilt/justification

  Suggests that there is a slight chance that he could have been innocent and not a threat

  'Probably' comes first as that is what he wants to believe as it provides justification

  Anaphora- to show how focused the soldier is on the killing being unjustified
• "Probably armed, possibly not"
• “Tosses his guts back into his body. Then he’s carted off in the back of a lorry"
• “Tosses his guts back into his body. Then he’s carted off in the back of a lorry"

  Rhyme

  Verb

  Informal

  The colloquial tone also sounds casual/disrespectful and is a

  stark contrast to the brutal killing

  "Tosses"- connotates a lack of care or respect for the body as it is being treated like an object.
• “Tosses his guts back into his body. Then he’s carted off in the back of a lorry"

  The soldiers are used to the action as they don't think anything of it- natural reaction

  The body has no value- conflict causes the devaluation of human life and lack of sanctity

  Fluidity suggests that this is routine and they are used to it

  They have been exposed to so much death and violence that they are now desensitised to it.
• “His bloody life in my bloody hands”
• “His bloody life in my bloody hands”

  Adjective

  Repetition

  Double meaning

  Repetition of ‘bloody’ to link to horrific death and bloodshed that haunts him. Idea of ‘blood on hands’ suggests a sense of guilt – to have ‘blood on your hands’

  Suggests that this event has ruined his life by having cursed him and suggesting that he regrets killing him.