The Man He Killed Thomas Hardy

1
The Man He KilledThomas Hardy
2
Neither the soldier nor the reader ever find out
the name of this man.
The Man He Killed Had he and I but met By some
old ancient inn, We should have sat us down to
wet Right many a nipperkin!
Speech marks indicate someone telling a
story. Use of first person reinforces it is a
personal account.
Use of first person plural implies friendship,
spending time drinking together.
A small measure of spirits. Colloquial language
also implies informal banter and friendship.
3
Soldiers viewpoint now, organised and ready for
war...
But ranged as infantry And staring face to
face, I shot at him as he at me, And killed him
in his place.
Contrast with image from previous image of
looking at each other across a table in a pub.
Both trying to kill each other no choice.
4

• I shot him dead because
• Because he was my foe,
• Just so my foe of course he was
• Thats clear enough although

Rhythm breaks and dash signifies hesitation.
Cannot really explain reasons why.
Repetition suggests he is trying to persuade
himself that this was a good enough reason.
Sounds like his superiors language rather than
his own?
Enjambment emphasises his confusion.
5
Enlist to join the army.

• He thought hed list, perhaps,
• Off-hand like just as I
• Was out of work had sold his traps
• No other reason why.

Colloquial language, traps belongings.
Dashes imply thoughts or memories quickly
returning to him.
6
Quaint pleasing in an odd or old fashioned
way. Curious rather strange Both words
totally inadequate expression of the horror of
war.

• 
  
• Yes quaint and curious war is!
• You shoot a fellow down
• Youd treat if met where any bar is,
• Or help to half a crown.

Friend, fellow man we are all human and part of
the same world if not the same country
Buy a drink.
Roughly 5 today.