V4 - Poetry reader - Edwin Brock

• Engels
• Middelbare school
• vwo
• Leerjaar 4

Poetry Reader

Today's Lesson

'Five Ways to Kill a Man'

What do you think of when you read:
Five Ways to Kill a Man

What are the horrors of the past mentioned in the poem?

Horrors of the past

The poet clearly spells out what horrors man has been capable off in the past. Crucifixion, jousting, gas warfare, and atomic bombing are all shocking heights to which man has gone in his attempts to kill others who he feels are different from himself. 

The point to note here is that with each method of killing described by the poet the numbers of murdered men are increasing. From a single man’s crucifixion, we come to one-on-one combat, where there are one or two deaths in each match. In gas warfare, the number increases to entire squadrons, and finally, in atomic bombing, entire cities are wiped out at the push of a switch. Man is becoming steadily more and more ruthless.

What are the horrors of the present mentioned in the poem?

Horrors of the present

Previously man could depend on other men to save his life in extenuating circumstances. However, after the World Wars, the man could no longer depend on anyone other than himself. No man came to another’s aid to fight the after-effects of WWII. Poverty, malnutrition, and joblessness killed every man alive on earth while others just watched him die. Hence, living in the 1950s ensures a clean and easy death. This is the 5th and least complicated method of killing, according to the poet.

What is a metaphor?

This rhetorical device is used when a covert comparison is made between two different things or ideas. 

Find the metaphor in the poem

In this poem, the poet uses the device of metaphor in the 3rd line of the 2nd stanza when he compares the armor of a soldier with a cage made of metal that is holding him captive and not letting him escape so that he is forced to fight for the sake of his superiors only.

What is irony?

What is the irony in the poem?

Tone

The prevalent tone of this poem is one of irony. The poet is not seriously advising anyone on the methods of killing. He is simply telling us that the world has been turned into a horrible place through man’s own actions, and now man has to pay the price himself.

Conclusion

“Five Ways to Kill a Man” is a unique poem. Not too many poems have been written on the subject of ruthless murder. It also manages to evoke a sense of guilt in readers. They feel sad to be a part of the human race, knowing that their fellow men have committed such heinous crimes. The poet’s hidden message is that man must change his ways, and this message is definitely not lost to readers.

Finished!

You have finished today's lesson.

You know what poetry is and how to read a poem

You read and analysed a poem

Well done!