“Probably armed, possibly not…"

• Colloquial Diction: The use of everyday, casual language ("he’s probably armed, possibly not") reflects the soldier’s attempt to rationalize and normalize their actions. It highlights the blurred boundaries between life-and-death decisions in war.
• Ambiguity: The phrase "probably armed, possibly not" encapsulates uncertainty. This lack of clarity introduces doubt, which becomes the root of the soldier’s guilt and inner conflict.
• Alliteration: The soft "p" sounds in "probably" and "possibly" create a hesitant, uneasy tone, mirroring the speaker’s uncertainty and moral questioning.
• Juxtaposition: "And the drink and the drugs won’t flush him out" juxtaposes modern escapism with unrelenting psychological torment. Despite attempts to numb the pain, the guilt remains persistent.
• Metaphor: "Flush him out" metaphorically likens the man’s memory to a stain or toxin, suggesting its indelibility in the speaker’s mind. The metaphor implies desperation to cleanse oneself of guilt or remorse.
• Irony: The act of killing someone, once justified with the reasoning of "probably armed," is contrasted with the futile attempts to forget it later. This underscores the futility of trying to escape accountability or trauma.