Literary Analysis: O What Is That Sound Essay Example

clear rhythm which matches the beat of the drum of the soldiers.

It's important as it represents time and the pace of the soldiers. On top of this the fact that they start "down in the valley' highlights that the characters are looking down at the soldiers and are above them which shows a hierarchy; Which s ironic because when they meet face to face it is the soldiers who have the hierarchy. The wife plays a significant role in the telling of the story as when the soldiers start to come close she says "I promised to love you, dear, But I must be leaving.

Aden cleverly used the past tense "promised" at it implies that she has broken that promise or that she no longer loves him, or perhaps never did. As well as this the quote "l must be leaving' could possibly mean she I leaving the relationship as she knows she has done wrong. However I think it is significant because being lone makes him very weak and defenseless against the large number of soldiers, which foreshadows something bad happening.

Having the poem end like this leaves the reader wondering and almost feeling sympathetic for what awaits this man.

Literary Analysis: O What Is That Sound By unnamable One of the ways that Aden tells the story is through the Juxtaposition of language at about the situation and very childlike. The word "O" is like an exclamation of panicked and alarmed. This is significant because it adds tension and suspense. This also links to the repetition of the word "dear.

At first it comes across as a reassurance, but quickly changes

to a patronizing tone. This is a clear indication that maybe his wife is not on his side and he has been betrayed by her. Another juxtaposition of language is used as at the start of the poem it says "They step lightly' however in the last stanza it says "Their boots are heavy on the floor. " Again showing soldiers start to come close she says.