Take20: The Merchant Of Venice Plot Mindmap

Take 19: My War Movie MindMap

Home Learning Assignment (Task 2)

Task 2
Complete the template provided below (Annex A), focusing on 
(1) Point of View; 
(2) Situation and Setting; 
(3) Language/Diction; and 
(4) Personal Response, 
And post your response to Task 2 on your blog.  This template is based on John Lye’s ‘Critical Analysis of Poetry’, and you can make reference to this in Annex B when in doubt.

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1)Point Of View
American Paratrooper Steve Carlsen, called to participate in the Afghan War. This poem gives us an idea of what it is like in the battlefield, like storming through 'lead rain' and rush of war. I believe his point of view is shared amongst many other deployed onto the war grounds. Despite only spending up to a year in Afghanistan, it is clear that the poet has had enough of the hellish phase of war.

2) Situation; Setting
From the mention of the Hindu Kush and furthur background information, we can tell that the setting was in Afghanistan. Since the 9/11 disaster, many Americans have expressed intent to retaliate. Thus beginning the war between the Americans and the Afghans in 2001. For the poet, he is deployed two years since the start of the war and the poem can tell us the huge terrain he fights on.

3) Language/Diction
From the poem readers are able to see the negative attitude Carlsen has about war. Terms like
'terror I can’t define' and 'Dirty and tired and hungry and scared' gives us a straight forward depiction of what Carlsen experiences. Additionally, the poet takes a turn at the later half of the poem involving more of his emotions than the earlier part did for what he went through. The rhymes which follow from every line coupled with the short-syllable words gives the reader a thrill and makes him feel as though he could feel the rush these soldiers go through. The poet also makes many references to divinity, such as 'Saint Peter'  probably to emphasise the close-to-death scenario which war really is.

4) Personal Response 
I feel that the poet has really poured out his personal emotions in this poem. From the crazed frenzy on the battlefield to the mixed feelings on the peak of the Hindu Kush, the poet gives us a true and reliable account of what an everyday soldier might go through. You get the feeling it's real difficult being a soldier.

Home Learning Assignment (Task 1)

Task 1

Based on your understanding of the selected poem, perform extensive web research and write a report on your blog detailing the conflict represented in the poem(s) of your choice.  Bear in mind that this piece of background information will allow your blog audience to further understand the poem as well as your analysis of the poem in Task 2.

Be sure to include your references and credit your sources.

We Slept With Our Boots On

They unloaded the dead and maimed right before our eyes
They washed out the blood, we loaded our ruck’s and then took to the skies
Over the mountains, villages, and valleys we flew  
Where we would land we had not a clue  
Bullets are flying, the LZ is hot  
We’re leaving this bird whether we like it or not  
30 seconds they yelled, Lock N Load and grab your shit 
  Get ready to go and make it quick  
My heart is pumping adrenalin through all of my veins  
I run as fast as I can through the lead rain  
The noise is tremendous, terror I can’t define
The only reason I survived that day was divine  
I kept pulling the trigger and reloading and pulling some more
You do what you have to do, with that I will say no more
We fought from the valleys to the mountain peaks
From house to cave, to car to creek  
Dirty and tired and hungry and scared
We slept with our boots on so we were always prepared
Those majestic mountains so steep, so high they kiss the skies  
The Hindu Kush has changed so many lives  
Up the mountains with heavy loads we trod  
Who knew hell was so close to God  
Beauty and terror are a strong mixed drink
So we drank it like drunkards and tried not to think
Good men and bad men, Mothers lost son’s  
Everyone loses their innocence when they carry guns  
Washed in the blood, and baptized by fire
I will never forget those who were called higher They say blood is thicker than water, well lead is thicker than blood  
Brothers aren’t born they’re earned. 
In the poppy fields, the tears, and the mud
And when I get to heaven to Saint Peter I will tell
Another Paratrooper reporting for duty sir, I spent my time in hell

Steve Carlsen

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Introduction:

So this is a piece of war poetry by Steve Carlsen. Steve Carlsen is an American soldier who went through Infantry Basic Training and Airborne School. In November 2001, he was deployed in Kosovo for peace-keeping operations. He also took part in the Afghanistan situation in 2002. He was discharged in 2oo3. He currently attends Southwestern Michigan College where his professor, Dr Michael Collins challenged him to write about his experiences.

About The Poem:

 To me, this poem is one that illustrates the poet's frustration through his participation in the Afghan war. He narrates his experience through the poem and gives the reader a sense of how harsh the war really was.

Some Definitions:

•  LZ: Landing zone, as he is a paratrooper. Usually marked with flares.

• Hindu Kush: The Hindu Kush is a 500-mile mountain range stretching between north-western Pakistan and eastern and central Afghanistan

References: http://www.warpoetry.co.uk/2010warpoetry.html#Steve