Matthew Little
Humanities
Journal
WAR IS KIND
Stephen Crane (18711-1900 C.E.)
Part I
My reaction to this writing is how ironic the poem was. It was trying to be comforting,
but at the same time how can it be comforting when it’s saying that the thing that killed there
spouses is kind. After pondering this question for a while it hit me what it’s trying to say is that
these soldiers that died do so for what they believed is right and they can be at peace and be
raised up in the heavens because they died for freedom.
Part II
The argument the author was trying to make was not that war is good or “kind” but is
that these men died doing what they truly thought was the right thing. “Hoarse, booming
drums of the regiment, little souls who thirst for fight, these men were born to drill and die.”
These are very powerful words, and reading them gave me chills all over my body. But this
explained these soldiers died for what they love and who they love. So the authors intensions
were when making this poem, was to give comfort to grieving families of the fallen soldiers.
War Is Kind
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Matthew Little
Humanities
Journal
Part III
“The unexplained glory flies above them, great is the Battle-God, great, and his kingdom
a field of a thousand corpses lie. Do not weep, babe, for war is kind.” This is an example of how
the author makes his argument it explains in a spiritual sense that these men have a source of
pride in them and also in what they do, they do not want you to cry they want you to be proud,
because they will go to heaven because they died for you, for me and for every thing we love
and cherish. “Swift blazing flag of the regiment, Eagle with crest of read and gold.” This
symbolizes what they fought for, are country, are land and are family, friends, neighbors and
are nation.
Part IV
I came across a few questions while reading this poem. When I first read the poem I had
a question I kept asking my self 1) Why would the author use righting that was this ironic,
Knowing that not every one would get it right away or some not at all? In part of the poem it
reads “Because your lover threw wild hand towards the sky, and the affrighted steed ran
alone.” 2) What did the author mean by this and what was the motive behind it? I understand
the poem is meant for grieving widows, spouse and loved ones. But my question is 3) When the
author was righting this poem were they righting it for someone, or have someone they were
thinking of while righting it?
War Is Kind
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Matthew Little
Humanities
Journal
Part V
This poem was very touching and gave me a new kind of respect for this kind of poetry.
Even though this poem was short I don’t think the author could have made a better point or get
that kind of emotional attachment, even if they would have lengthened it. I had a good time
reading this poem and it pretty much drags you in, and you get so emotionally attached were
you can almost see the spouse crying. And for that I think this is one of the best poems I’ve ever
read.
War Is Kind
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