Jim Wise Essay

Deep within people’s hearts, they can sense the forbidding future that awaits them, longing for the comfort of another human’s physical touch. “Soldier on a plane” by US Naval Captain Jim Wise compels readers to find the deeper meaning hidden in the words of poetry. Literary elements, theme, and structure help the poem have the ability to make people think deeper than just the words on the page. A soldier silently pleads for human contact to comfort him on what could be his final flight. Jim Wise plays with people’s hearts by giving the poem a sympathetic tone and letting people dwell on their inner thoughts. The use of literary elements in the poem helps the reader understand the sympathetic tone present in the poem. Imagery plays a part in the poem as Jim Wise observes the passengers on the plane he is with, and ends up,” sitting by a young

Wise’s form of writing further helps the reader discover the true meaning behind the poem. Whilst Wise is waiting for his plane he notices,” tourists hurrying home, travelers dreading home, wanderers without a home” (L 3-5) The repetition that Wise utilizes in his writing help add emphasis to the worrying passengers. Repetition helps drive readers attention towards what the author is trying to say. It can be assumed that people would feel sympathy for these worried people. Wise notices that the soldier is in,” need for contact with the mundane” (L 22-23) This is an example of juxtaposition that Wise introduces into his works to make the reader pause and think about what was said. This contrast between someone wanting help and a dull normal person makes you question. It also strengthens the sympathetic tone due to the fact that the soldier wants comfort from anyone. Most people would want comforting from someone they know personally. Wise purposefully implements these forms of structure to strengthen the sympathetic tone in the