The Man He Killed; By Thomas Hardy
Thomas Hardy's poem 'The Man He Killed' explores the absurdity and irony of war. The speaker reflects on how, under different circumstances, he might have shared a drink with the man he killed in battle. The poem highlights the randomness of war, where individuals who might have been friends are forced into enmity by circumstances beyond their control. The speaker's justification for killing—simply because the other was labeled a 'foe'—underscores the senselessness of war. Hardy uses a conversational tone and simple language to convey the deep moral conflict and the tragic nature of war, where societal labels dictate actions that contradict personal inclinations. The poem is a critique of the impersonal nature of war and the arbitrary reasons for which men are driven to kill each other.
| Word | In English | Plain (English) | Pron. |
|---|---|---|---|
| nipperkin | small drink | a small drink | nip-er-kin |
| foe | enemy | someone who is against you | foh |
| quaint | strange | strange or old-fashioned | kweynt |
| curious | odd | odd or strange | kyoo-ree-uhs |
| traps | belongings | personal possessions | traaps |
| inn | tavern | a place where travelers can stay and eat | in |
| infantry | foot soldiers | soldiers who fight on foot | in-fan-tree |
| half-a-crown | small amount of money | a British coin worth two shillings and sixpence | haf-uh-kroun |
Thomas Hardy (1840–1928) was an English novelist and poet known for his critical view of Victorian society. He wrote novels like 'Tess of the d'Urbervilles' and 'Jude the Obscure'. Hardy's poetry, influenced by Romanticism, gained acclaim posthumously.
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