Between Epitaph On A Solider And The Death Of A Ball Turret Gunner

Throughout history, one of the most common occurrences during times of warfare is the death of the soldiers who are fighting for their country. Depending on one’s point of view, a soldier’s death at war could be honorable and glorified, or it can be a gruesome, anonymous demise. In the two poems, “Epitaph on a Solider” by Cyril Tourneur and “The Death of a Ball Turret Gunner” by Randal Jarrell, there is a stark contrast between the emotional impacts experienced by the reader. Through each author’s unique writing style, “Tourneur’s Epitaph on a Soldier” shows glory in a soldier’s death and is supportive of war, while Jarrell’s “The Death of a Ball Turret Gunner” gives a much more painful impression of war and the passing of those involved in it. In “Epitaph on a Soldier”, Cyril Tourneur is able to creates the tone of admiration and honor through his formal diction. He uses words such as “strength” and “brave” to show his respect for the courage each soldier. Through his careful word choice he expresses respect for the men who risk their lives in battle, despite the very real possibility of losing their lives, as did the soldier featured in the poem. He also includes the complimentary terms “virtue” and “blest” to exemplify his respect for the character of

He uses the term “nightmare” to reflect the hardships that are endured during the war. Many people had been drafted into battle, being torn away from their ordinary lifestyle and thrown into a vicious state of death and violence. The life that they are subjected to had been forced upon them, they were living in constant fear of their death or that of their comrades. The author also makes sure to include the “black flak,” which is reminds the reader that the soldiers are always vulnerable to ammunition of the enemy, reinforcing the harsh reality that they could be killed at any