On The Black Hill Essay Example

the term "gunmetal" to describe grey intensify the desired effects.

During the lantern lecture, the social divide between the rich and the poor became apparent. Those of high rank, such as the Major and Colonel, arrived in limousines, showcasing their wealth and status. This was a novel sight for farm boys, who had never seen such luxury up close before. The limousines were equipped with fur rugs and leather upholstery, further symbolizing their opulence.

Ironically, the farm boys were wearing their best clothes, which they considered appropriate for Sundays. However, these clothes were insignificant compared to those worn by the upper class. Mr. Gomer Davies, the congregational minister, described the war as a 'Crusade for Christ'. This implies that not only did young men have figures of authority commanding them, but also the Church itself putting pressure on them. The Major, who had previously fought in the war, had lost his arm.

The Major takes pride in fighting for his country, even though he lost his arm as a result. This signifies that he is unashamed of his sacrifice. The text may also be suggesting that others can aspire to fight for their country and attain the same high rank as him. Notably, there is a distinct difference in language between the high-ranking individuals and those of lower social class. For instance, Colonel Bickerton was engaging in conversation with a veteran of the Boer War, which is described as "having a jaw". This phrase is typical of the upper-class English dialect. Additionally, Colonel Bickerton's silk hat serves as a symbol of his wealth.

The ministers are expressing their admiration for the squire in order to gain favor with someone

of higher social standing. When the Colonel responded to the ministers, his choice of words was clearly in stark contrast. He enunciated each syllable flawlessly and used very refined and sophisticated language.

Chatwin expresses his gratitude and compliments the good attendance at the event: 'Thank you for looking after me so well. Pretty good turn-out, I see. Most encouraging, what?' Miss Isobel was the standout of the evening, capturing the attention of all the boys in the lantern lecture. They were eager to please her because she represented qualities of softness and gentleness, someone they could feel emotional for. However, she remained unattainable.

The passage emphasizes the elevated social status of Miss Isobel through the description of her attire: her 'silver fox-fur cape' and her 'dainty hat which spurted a grey-pink glycerinated ostrich plume'. This depiction accentuates her unattainability to the younger men, some of whom were driven to enlist in the war for her and the ideals she embodies. It can be inferred that the Colonel intentionally brought her along as a symbolic representation of the cause the young men are fighting for. Interestingly, the clergyman's speech diverged from traditional church-like rhetoric, employing violent imagery to describe the enemy. He likened the Germans to a 'cancer' that must be eradicated from European society and referred to them as an 'alligator', urging people to destroy it.

However, the speech given by the vicar is delivered to men who are not directly involved in the war. The vicar lacks personal experience or knowledge of the actual war. The slides presented during the speech depicted moments of happiness and enjoyment among the 'Tommies'. Some pictures were of poor quality,

which raises the question of how one can truly comprehend what occurs in a war. These images fail to capture the reality of war.

The text promotes the recruitment of individuals into the Army, omitting the mention of violence, killing, torture, and blood. It employs persuasive tactics, leveraging images that align with the audience's interests. The Colonel appeals to potential recruits by referring to them as the 'aristocracy' and offering them the aspiration of social advancement, similar to his esteemed position.

The Colonel is referring to the famous phrase from the battle of Trafalgar, where Admiral Nelson said, "England expects every man to do his duty." By mentioning this, the Colonel wants to invoke a sense of familiarity and connection with the people. He particularly emphasizes the concept of "duty," highlighting that the young men must fulfill their obligation to fight in the war.

The upper class individuals, who do not have to participate in war, believe it is one's obligation to fight for their own country. They view those who are unwilling to do so as shameful. Lord Kitchener emphasizes that when he calls for help, he is referring to each and every person. In response to a question about Wales, he discusses his own mixed Welsh and English background. It appears he is attempting to cater to both sides, as evidenced by the presence of two automobiles - one for those wishing to join the English Regiment and one for those interested in enlisting in the Welsh Regiment.

The Welsh man will be accompanied by his daughter Miss Isobel. Ultimately, it was likely attraction towards sexuality that drew in the men, including Jim the Rock.

Mary was one of those individuals who followed Mrs. Bickerton's instructions and crafted articles of clothing such as gloves and balaclavas for the men serving at the Front. On the other hand, Amos acted differently. He despised the war, going so far as to conceal his horses from the Remount Officers and disregard orders from Ministry.

Being Welsh, he objected to his sons fighting for the English, so he became a member of the Rechabite. This group held pacifist beliefs, which were shared by some individuals during that era. The Rechabite strongly advocated for abstaining from taking any life and thus vehemently opposed the war.

Chapter 20 finds the twins in the midst of a war where they are now of age to register and be drafted. Unfortunately, many have already lost their lives. Mr. Arkwright arrives at the twins' home and immediately confronts Amos, using aggressive language to blame and demand explanations. He also passes judgment, belittling the Vision as a farm too insignificant to merit exemption for more than one son. Mr. Arkwright shows no interest in hearing Amos' perspective and dismisses him without consideration.

While Lewis was working near Rhydspence, he encountered a funeral procession where the coffin was covered with a Union Jack. The funeral was meticulously organized and formal, and there seemed to be a connection between Lewis and the war. Perhaps he felt guilty for not being involved in the war while another man had fought and sacrificed his life for their country. This feeling intensified when a well-to-do woman confronted him, accusing him of cowardice and insisting that he should be in the war. This encounter put pressure on him. Chapter

22 introduced the Tribunal.

The jury consisted of the Military Representative, agricultural merchant, vicar, Mr. Arkwright, and Colonel in the role of chairman, representing the Army. All members belonged to the upper and middle class. They were responsible for making critical decisions for the lower-class young men which could determine their life or death, highlighting the social class divide. It is worth mentioning that the juries had a pleasant day, with most of them being slightly intoxicated.

Reverend Pile was enthused by the notion of young men engaging in battle and losing their lives. Meanwhile, the young men waited anxiously in a gloomy corridor, resembling imprisoned individuals who felt a sense of guilt. They fervently prayed for exemption. During the late arrival of the Colonel, he exhibited no inclination to grant further exemptions. In the previous session, he had already exempted two of his hunt servants and his valet. Despite this, his opening speech professed the necessity for fairness within the Tribunal. However, it was evident that he had already made up his mind not to exempt any more men, thereby compromising the notion of true fairness. The significance of the Tribunal held no importance to Major Gattie, perceivably equating it to a mundane daily routine.

It appears that the upper class did not consider the situation as seriously as they should have. Tom, who was called up first, struggled to communicate effectively to the high-ranking jury members due to his lack of experience. Consequently, the Colonel began mocking him.

The Colonel intentionally did not acknowledge Lewis when he was called up, but granted him exemption with a kind departure. However, Major Gattie showed superiority by "drawling" when Benjamin

was called up, demonstrating a lack of recognition for these men as individuals. The vicar was greatly shocked when Benjamin questioned his faith.

He was unprepared for the confrontation of inequality and, as a result, Benjamin received an exemption as a form of punishment. Chapter 24 depicted the commemoration of the war and included the names of the 'gallant thirty-two' individuals who had made the 'Supreme Sacrifice' on the memorial.

Enclosed in quotation marks are the precise words that were inscribed on the memorial, portraying a sense of purity in the war. However, these words mask the harsh reality of the young men's deaths, creating a sanitized and impersonal perception. This approach seems to manipulate people's understanding of the true nature of their suffering, filled with pain and horror.

The words were carefully chosen to soften the harsh reality of the event, concealing the irreversible loss of life. The upper class generously served lunch to welcome back the courageous individuals who survived. A heated debate arose, determining the order of procession and who would hold the more significant role.

During the war, there were various individuals who assert their significance over the past four years. In the procession, these individuals, in order of 'importance', include the Choristers, scouts, guides, firemen, railway workers, land Girls, Red Cross members, W.A.A.C members, the brass band, and ultimately the soldiers.

During the war, the people who fought for the country and its inhabitants were seemingly considered less significant and were placed at the back of the marching order. Unfortunately, the Bombardier, who was hailed as the greatest hero of all, was overlooked. This Rhulen hero had previously saved his commanding officer but was now

in a state of ruin. Unable to fend for himself, he sat in a basket chair.

It is somewhat ironic how the upper class, who instructed men to join the war, now find themselves with nothing left to say. The Bombardier, however, is unable to speak at all, reduced to only producing a rattling sound in his throat. He is completely broken both physically and mentally. He is completely disoriented and terrified by everything around him, including people cheering for him. His existence has been reduced to a mere fragment of life.

Mrs. Bickerton desired for lunch to take place in the dining room, but the upper class individuals were unwilling to socialize with the lower class individuals. Consequently, the lower class party had to be relocated to a shed where the horses were kept. An elaborate depiction of the abundant feast they all enjoyed consisted of various meat dishes such as beef, turkey, pork pies, and salmon, among others. However, amidst all these details, Chatwin included a separate one-sentence paragraph stating that a pot of calf's-foot jelly had been specifically prepared for the Bombardier. This jelly-like food was intended for the Bombardier, resembling a type of sustenance for convalescents that doesn't require chewing.

The Bombardier, who had experienced the war, needed assistance in eating the jelly since he could no longer consume the same food as regular people. Mr. Arkwright commenced his speech by uttering the phrase, ' Now that the sword is returned to the scabbard... ', emphasizing the absence of words during the war.

The war involved firearms, explosives, and artillery. Swords evoke a romantic imagery. Arkwright failed to consider the reality of warfare, still clinging

to outdated images from a century ago, thus avoiding an understanding of the true nature of war. Consequently, his speech was cliche-ridden and lacked freshness.

Arkwright's language was lifeless and lacking in specificity. His dramatic statements were not rooted in personal experience. Throughout his speech, he relied on cliche metaphors and similes. He used grandiose words such as 'justice' and 'honor'. However, it is ironic that Arkwright poisoned his wife despite his glamorous rhetoric.

He lacks the authority to deliver the speech to the young men due to his dishonorable involvement in the black market. As he approaches the 'coda', which signifies a grand and memorable conclusion, he maintains his use of theatrical yet unoriginal language, stating, "Finally, righteousness and justice triumphed and, with divine assistance, a deceitful and cruel enemy was defeated."

'He stated that all the individuals present had played a respectable role', however, he added, 'Or maybe I should specify, nearly all of those present.' This statement was directed towards those who hadn't participated in the war, specifically Lewis. The remark was highly irreverent. Soon after, the Carnival commenced and the upper class arrived, adorned in magnificent attire. The Brigadier delivered an extensive speech, noticeable for his pronounced lisp.

He expressed that all those who were sacrificed had died for a noble cause. Instantly, the crowd fell silent. He proceeded to share his experiences from a previous war where he served in the army, expressing his shock and dismay at the use of gas attacks. He vividly described the appalling sight of five victims of gas attacks, sitting aside, coughing and wheezing like a visual representation of the horrors of war. He also emphasized the unhygienic

conditions he endured, going for days without changing clothes or weeks without bathing, stating how unbearable it was. He acknowledged that his own hardships were insignificant compared to what the young men had experienced.

The Brigadier quoted a few lines from the poem of Brook, but then he digressed and discussed deformed castles in the country. After the pageant, amidst all the enjoyment, the harsh reality of violence resurfaced as Lewis and Benjamin engaged in a fight with the N. C.

O. A group of four or five disrespectful soldiers from the Army purposely obstructed their path and began hurling violent words at them, provoking a fight. It is ironic that despite all the talk of honorable valor, these soldiers resorted to fighting against only two individuals. The tragic twist is that the Bombardier did not live to celebrate, despite being hailed as the hero of Rhulen.

In Chatwin's chapters of the war, he cleverly portrays a man who was forgotten and left out all night to die in the storm. Amidst the rush for shelter, nobody remembered him. The brilliance lies in how Chatwin utilizes our perspective as readers who already know what had happened in the war. He skillfully juxtaposes our knowledge with the people's accounts at that time, acknowledging that we are looking back at the events of the war and aware of what transpired.

It is my belief that Chatwin's work was heavily influenced by war poems, particularly those written by Brooke, Owen, and Sassoon. When writing the aforementioned chapters, he likely consulted both history books to understand the events and the poems to grasp the contemporary sentiment surrounding them.

The Brigadier's speech included a recitation of the first three lines from Rupert Brooke's poem 'The Soldier', highlighting Brooke's significant influence during that period.

The poem presents war in an idealistic and positive light. It does not dwell on the true nature of war, but briefly acknowledges the possibility of death by mentioning "some corner of a foreign field." This reference suggests a burial in a field rather than a traditional grave. The repetition of the word "England" underscores the theme of patriotism throughout the poem.

The war is deteriorating the immorality of society and there is a feeling of wickedness being purged by the encounter of war. It was most likely composed at the onset or shortly before the war. This poem exemplifies the sentiments expressed by the privileged class to the less privileged class, urging them to fight for their nation. The poem 'Twelve Months After' written by Siegfried Sassoon features direct dialogues between individuals from the upper and lower class. We are able to perceive the distinct voices of different people. Furthermore, there is a striking contrast between the language used by the General and the light-hearted banter of soldiers.

In Chatwin's novel, the use of language by Colonel Bickerton is impeccable, every syllable pronounced flawlessly. Another poem by Sassoon, 'Base Details', also explores the social division between different classes. It portrays the authority as controlling the war while the impoverished men are merely fighting for them. Sassoon depicts the authority as an animal, voraciously consuming without consideration. This highlights how the upper class remains oblivious to the experiences of ordinary soldiers.

The individuals of superior status have simply given commands but were not

directly engaged in the conflict. They exhibit a lack of concern for the soldiers who lost their lives during the war. Their attitude suggests that the entire war is merely a game or something trivial. These concepts expressed in the poem resonated with the themes of war depicted in Chatwin's novel, specifically highlighting the division between the wealthy and the impoverished. Wilfred Owen's poem 'Anthem for Doomed Youth' addresses the soldiers' fatalities. It is a concise and intense piece of verse.

The poem is a stark contrast to Brooke's 'The Soldier' as it portrays the harsh reality of war. Owen's verse is deeply rooted in his own experiences, recounting the solemnity of soldiers' funerals. Here, all those who have lost someone gather to mourn their loved ones. The families and friends of deceased soldiers anxiously await their return home, even though they are aware deep down that it is an impossibility. Another one of Owen's poems, 'Dulce et Decorum est,' vividly depicts the true horrors of warfare.

Young soldiers were transformed into elderly figures throughout the war. There were various similes used to depict Owen's emotions. They were described as being "bent double, like old beggars under sacks" and "knock-kneed, coughing like hags." These soldiers suffered both physical and mental damage.

All the sensations of the soldiers have been lost and they have all abandoned hope. The second stanza depicts Owen's encounter with the inability to save a man's life from chlorine gas: 'But someone was still crying out and struggling, resembling a man engulfed in fire or lime'. The man was suffocating in the gas and experiencing a torment similar to being trapped in a

burning inferno. Owen's vision was impeded and he was disconnected from witnessing the man's demise.

The mental effect of war is described in the last two lines of the second stanza. It states, "In all my dreams, before my helpless sight, He plunges at me, guttering, choking, drowning." These lines indicate that the narrator consistently sees these distressing scenes in their dreams. They continue to haunt the narrator, as they are stuck witnessing these tragic events. Additionally, the narrator feels guilt for being unable to aid the person in their dreams at that time and continues to feel helpless towards assisting them, even in their dreams. These dreams have become a curse for the narrator.

The final stanza of the poem questions the notion of dying for one's country, considering it to be a falsehood. This sentiment is also mirrored in the novel, as those in positions of power are willing to endorse such a notion, while those below them are left to face the harsh reality of fighting and dying for their country. The promises made by Colonel Bickerton about soldiers returning from war and becoming the "aristocracy" of the nation were proven to be empty, as there was no triumphant or heroic homecoming for the soldiers.

Despite the fortunate return of the soldiers, their lives were forever altered by the ravages of war. Owen's poems, including 'The Sentry' among others not yet mentioned, vividly depict the true realities of war and the immense suffering endured by the soldiers. This stands in stark contrast to Brooke's poem 'The Soldier'.