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About

Genius Annotation

The Man He Killed was written in 1902 at the time of the Second Boer War, fought between the British and the Dutch settlers in South Africa. The aim of the British was to consolidate its Empire — and of course to exploit the mineral wealth of South Africa. Hardy was opposed to the war and believed the Boers were justified in defending their homes.

Like Hardy’s poem ‘Drummer Hodge, 'The Man He Killed’ deals with the subject of the futility of war. Both poems explore the impact on individuals. This one is told from the point of view of an ordinary soldier who struggles with the knowledge that he and the man he killed in battle probably had much in common. The soldier feels uneasy, knows he must follow orders, yet is not convinced that what he was told to do is right.

The speaker, a working class man, would have had a skimpy education, probably leaving school at the age of twelve. It is unlikely that he had the resources or time to read a newspaper or book. His understanding of the conflict would therefore have been limited. Yet, his inherent generosity and friendliness defines him; it is clearly not in his nature to kill.

Structure
Hardy was a traditionalist in his usual choice of poetic form. Here, he uses what is close to but not quite traditional ballad form, with a regular rhyme scheme; ABAB, CDCD etc until the end. The third line of each stanza is iambic tetrameter, that is four metric feet per line. The first, second and fourth lines are broadly iambic trimeters, that is three metric feet per line. This gives a gentle, jogging rhythm that suits the voice of the speaker.

Language and Imagery
Hardy often used colloquial language to bring to life his subjects. ‘The Ruined Maid’ is a good example. Here, for example, the soldier refers to a ‘nipperkin’ which is a rural Dorset word for a drinking vessel.

Hardy uses the first person, as if the soldier is talking to friends at an inn. Most of the words are of one syllable, and there are no similes or metaphors. The speaker is unsentimental and matter-of-fact, but the understated guilt and inarticulate emotion have enormous impact. This is one of Hardy’s most popular poems.

Other Reading
Thomas Hardy; Drummer Hodge
Wilfred Owen: ‘Futility’
Simon Armitage: ‘Remains’

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