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.