Diagnostic essay on ‘Waterloo’ by Raymond Garlick

bodies lying on the battlefield. The sardonic reference to the field being "praised" by the cenotaphs further emphasizes this point. Ultimately, it is the soldiers' connection to the wheat, which they "fell" on and whose fertilizer was aided by their decaying bodies, that constitutes a truer testament to their memory than any man-made monument.

The use of wheat as a symbol for soldiers’ desirable characteristics, such as brightness and being of high stature, is reinforced by the description of wheat being equipped with weaponry, creating the image of a mighty army. Alongside this, a sub-theme is apparent regarding financial gain from the Battle of Waterloo. The poet suggests that the growth of the royal Belgian/Tourist industry is exploiting this event. This concern is subtly conveyed through the phrase “..”

The last stanza's final line, "it would appear," highlights the impact of "China Wellington boots" and "Napoleons" in the fourth stanza. These tourist souvenirs diminish the Battle's historical significance, contradicting what Waterloo was intended for. Key phrases, like "A pyramidal man-made hill" and "That other violent race," depict strong imagery in the reader's mind from the descriptive language used throughout the poem.

The suggestion is that the "pyramidal hill" may have been formed by a buildup of corpses on the landscape. Additionally, the use of the word "greenly" could be associated with the landscape mentioned in this line. The phrase "A pyramidal man-made hill / Climbs greenly where the prince..." is also an enjambment.

Focusing the reader's attention on the first line, the form of the poem contributes to its rhythm and metre, necessitating analysis. With four stanzas of six lines each, the poem's mostly regular line length

results in enjambment for certain lines. This approach enhances the conversational and questioning style of the poem, while simulating natural speech rhythms and patterns.

The poem 'Waterloo' features a regular rhyming structure in the form of ABCBD, with lines 2, 4, and 6 repeated in each stanza. This structure adds to the poem's effectiveness, making it memorable and somewhat haunting, in contrast to the commercialized souvenir industry surrounding the battle. The speaker conveys a strong attitude towards this, finding it distasteful to the memory of the Battle. The relationship between the speaker and the subject is closely linked, as if recounting a personal experience. It's evident that the speaker is not an expert on the battle, as the poet expresses surprise over Dutch involvement in the war.

Previously, it was believed that only the French and Prussians were in direct confrontation, with the English also present.

The speaker's views on the violent race in the Battle of Waterloo are not clear, as they include the words "of course" without indicating if they want readers to share their stance. Additionally, the assumption that readers possess prior knowledge of the Prince of Orange and other crucial facts highlights the speaker's values and attitudes towards the events. As the poem progresses, the tone shifts from a seemingly unassuming account of Waterloo's historical context to a final stanza incorporating an ironic and cynical punchline. This change evokes an emotional response from readers regarding the influence of the tourist industry on the significance of the battle. Overall, Garlick's powerful use of imagery, cynicism, and irony engages readers in a soft-sell narrative that provokes thought and emphasizes the importance of interpreting the message

based on one's own perspective and historical context.