The man he killed

• What is the main theme of the poem "The Man He Killed" by Thomas Hardy?

  The struggle of the speaker to justify killing a man during combat.
• How does the speaker view the man he killed in the poem?

  The speaker considers that the man could have been a friend under different circumstances.
• What does the speaker's inability to justify his actions reveal about his feelings towards war?

  It indicates his internal conflict and moral struggle regarding the nature of war.
• What does the speaker conjecture about meeting the man in a different context?

  • They would have shared a drink together.
  • They could have been friends.
• What event does the speaker recount in the poem?

  The speaker recounts killing a man during The Boer War.
• Why does the speaker claim he killed the man?

  He claims he killed the man because he was his enemy.
• What does the speaker speculate about the man's reasons for enlisting in the army?

  The speaker speculates that the man joined the army due to being out of work.
• What does the speaker evaluate at the end of the poem?

  • The nature of war.
  • The futility of killing.
  • The possibility of friendship in different circumstances.
• What historical event is the poem set against?

  The Boer War (1899-1902).
• What was the main conflict in the Boer War?

  The British Empire fought against two states in South Africa for control.
• How does Hardy's background influence his perspective on the Boer War?

  His working-class origins allow him to empathize with the ordinary soldiers.
• What does Hardy criticize through the poem?

  • The politics of war.
  • The decisions made by politicians.
  • The impact of war on ordinary soldiers.
• What literary device does Hardy use to create a contrast between the pub setting and the war?

  He uses juxtaposition.
• What does the phrase "face to face" signify in the poem?

  It highlights the tense and direct confrontation between the speaker and the man he killed.
• How does the structure of the poem contribute to its themes?

  The cyclical structure emphasizes the ongoing nature of war and its moral questions.
• What tone does Hardy convey in the poem?

  • Bleak and blunt.
  • Reflective and nostalgic.
  • Critical and sarcastic.
• What sound devices does Hardy use in the poem?

  Assonance and consonance.
• What does the use of enjambment in the poem signify?

  It reflects the urgency and intensity of the speaker's situation.
• How does the speaker's reflection on the reasons for enlisting contribute to the poem's theme?

  It highlights the arbitrary nature of war and the lack of noble motivations.
• What is the significance of the title "The Man He Killed"?

  • It is blunt and unemotional.
  • It situates the poem in a historical context.
  • It implies a focus on conflict and death.
• What rhyme scheme does Hardy use in the poem?

  ABAB rhyme scheme.
• How does the rhyme scheme affect the poem's tone?

  It creates a rhythm that contrasts with the violent content.
• What does the cyclical structure of the poem imply about war?

  It suggests that war is a destructive cycle with no resolution.
• What themes are explored in "The Man He Killed"?

  • The futility of war.
  • The nature of conflict.
  • The impact of decisions made by politicians.
• What does the speaker imply about patriotism in the poem?

  Patriotism is not considered a motivating factor for the man he killed.
• How does the speaker's reflection on the man he killed contribute to the poem's message?

  It emphasizes the shared humanity between soldiers and the senselessness of their conflict.
• What does the speaker's use of colloquial language suggest about his social standing?

  It indicates that he is speaking to an audience of similar social standing.
• What is the overall message of "The Man He Killed"?

  • War is irrational and cruel.
  • Soldiers are often victims of circumstance.
  • The decisions of politicians have dire consequences for ordinary people.