From War is Kind
By Stephen Crane
Do not weep, maiden, for war is kind.
Because your lover threw wild hands toward the sky
And the afraid steed ran on alone,
Do not weep.
War is kind.Hoarse, booming drums of the regiment,
Little souls who thirst for fight,
These men were born to drill and die.
The unexplained glory flies above them,
Great is the battle god, great, and his kingdom.
A field where a thousand corpses lie.Do not weep, babe, for war is kind.
Because your father tumbled in the yellow trenches,
Raged at his breast, gulped and died,
Do not weep.
War is kind.Swift, blazing flag of the regiment,
Eagle with crest of red and gold,
These men were born to drill and die.
Point for them the virtue of slaughter,
Make plain to them the excellence of killing
And a field where a thousand corpses lie.Mother whose heart hung humble as a button
On the bright splendid shroud of your son,
Do not weep.
War is kind.
Summary of From War is Kind
- Popularity of “From War is Kind”: This excerpt from Stephen Crane’s longer poem gained significant recognition, largely because of its opening line and the pervasive refrain. First appearing in the collection War is Kind and Other Lines in 1899, the poem presents a stark and unsettling view of war. The constant repetition of “War is kind” captures many readers.
- “From War is Kind” as a Representative of War: The poem features a speaker who insists that “War is Kind,” despite the surrounding imagery of loss and destruction. This speaker addresses various grieving figures—a maiden, a babe, and a mother—attempting to console them with this hollow claim. The verses illustrate the grim reality of soldiers born “to drill and die,” fighting for an “unexplained glory” while leaving behind a landscape littered with corpses. The poem does not celebrate war; it exposes the disconnect between the romanticized idea of war and its brutal truth.
- Major Themes in “From War is Kind”: Key themes include the superficial comfort offered to those suffering because of war, the inherent lies embedded in war rhetoric, and the potential for pacifism. Though brief—comprised of only five stanzas and recurring refrains—the poem powerfully suggests that claims of war being “kind” are empty and meaningless. The relentless cycle of soldiers fighting, dying, and leaving behind fields of corpses continues regardless of these consolations, highlighting the poem’s critique of war’s glorification.
Analysis of Literary Devices Used in From War is Kind
Stephen Crane masterfully employs a variety of literary devices to amplify the poem’s impact. These techniques are integral to the poem’s message and emotional resonance.
- Allusion: The poem uses general military allusions such as “regiment,” “drill,” “drums,” and “battle.” These terms immediately evoke the world of warfare, grounding the poem in a recognizable context.
- Assonance: Crane frequently uses assonance, the repetition of vowel sounds. Notice the repetition of the short “a” sound in “And the afraid steed ran on alone” and the short “i” sound in “On the bright splendid shroud of your son.” This creates musicality that underscores the emotional weight of the lines.
- Alliteration: Alliteration, the repetition of consonant sounds, appears in lines such as the repetition of the “h” sound in “heart hung humble.” It adds rhythmic quality and draws attention to specific phrases.
- Consonance: Consonance, the repetition of consonant sounds within words, is used to create echoing resonance. The repetition of “m” in “Hoarse, booming drums of the regiment” and of “d” and “r” in “These men were born to drill and die” are excellent examples.
- Imagery: Crane uses vivid imagery to paint a stark and haunting picture of war. Lines like “Swift, blazing flag of the regiment,” “Little souls who thirst for fight,” and “Point for them the virtue of slaughter” engage the reader’s senses and create a visceral experience.
- Irony: Perhaps the most potent device in the poem is irony. The phrase “war is kind” is profoundly ironic, given the surrounding descriptions of death, suffering, and destruction. This irony is central to the poem’s critique of war’s romanticization.
- Metaphor: Crane uses metaphor to convey abstract ideas. For example, the image of “glory” flying like a bird suggests that glory is elusive and unattainable.
- Simile: The poem also utilizes simile, a direct comparison between two things. The comparison of a heart to a button in the final stanza powerfully conveys the mother’s overwhelming grief.
- Symbolism: Symbols abound in the poem. The “regiment,” “steed,” “fight,” “glory,” and “corpses” all symbolize the destructive forces of war and its tragic consequences.
Analysis of Poetic Devices Used in From War is Kind
While some literary devices are common across different forms of writing, certain techniques are especially prominent in poetry. Here’s an analysis of those used in “From War is Kind.”
- Diction: Crane’s choice of words—his diction—is deliberate and carefully considered. The poem employs formal diction, contributing to its somber and reflective tone.
- Repetition: Repetition is a key feature of the poem, used to emphasize certain themes and ideas. The recurring phrases “do not weep” and “War is kind” create a haunting rhythm and underscore the poem’s central irony.
- Refrain: The lines “War is kind” and “A field where a thousand corpses lie” serve as refrains, repeated after successive stanzas. This reinforces the poem’s core message and creates a sense of cyclical despair.
- Stanza: The poem is structured into five stanzas, each varying in length. This contributes to the poem’s overall flow and rhythm.
- Tone: The poem evokes a sad, sorrowful, ironic, and tragic tone. The repeated consolations feel hollow, and the imagery of death and destruction pervades the entire piece.
Quotes to be Used
The following lines are particularly effective when discussing the irony of war and its devastating consequences:
Swift, blazing flag of the regiment,
Eagle with crest of red and gold,
These men were born to drill and die.
Point for them the virtue of slaughter,
Make plain to them the excellence of killing
And a field where a thousand corpses lie.
These lines encapsulate the poem’s central critique—the glorification of war despite its inherent brutality and the senseless loss of life. They serve as a powerful reminder of the poem’s enduring message.