EnglishLIT Vergissmeinnicht Quotes

Three weeks gone…

Three weeks gone and the combatants gone

'Three weeks gone and the combatants gone' analysis

Repetition of 'gone' — Deeply emphasises loss felt during war. It leaves soldiers with trauma, highlighting how brutal and dangerous war can affect a soldier.

soldier sprawling…

soldier sprawling in the sun

'soldier sprawling in the sun' analysis

Sibilance — Accentuates the idea of brutality in war. 'Sprawling' shows vulnerability, the limpness of death. 'In the sun' suggests inevitability of death, permanently etched in memory.

frowning barrel…

frowning barrel of his gun overshadowing

'frowning barrel of his gun overshadowing' analysis

Personification of gun — The gun is personified negatively. 'Overshadowing' implies destruction of innocence by war.

dust upon the…

dust upon the paper eye

'dust upon the paper eye' analysis

Dust, paper — 'Paper eye' suggests a photo/memory of death. Dust symbolises death, neglect, and the passage of time, showing the chilling stillness after violence.

and the burst stomach…

and the burst stomach like a cave

'and the burst stomach like a cave' analysis

Grotesque imagery and simile — Graphic description of corpses; war empties humans into hollow shells. 'Cave' suggests primal, dark brutality, evoking horror and emotional detachment.

he hit my tank…

'he hit my tank with one like the entry of a demon'

'he hit my tank with one like the entry of a demon' analyse

'Demon' and simile create hellish imagery, showing the horror and violence of the battlefield.

Look. Here…

'Look. Here in the gunpit spoil the dishonoured picture of his girl'

'Look. Here in the gunpit spoil the dishonoured picture of his girl' analyse

The imperative draws us in as witnesses. The 'dishonoured' image shows broken love and wartime guilt.

We see him…

'We see him almost with content, abased'

'We see him almost content, abased' analyse

Juxtaposition of pride and shame. 'Content' suggests calm; 'abased' shows awareness of guilt and loss.

mingled…singled

'mingled … singled', 'killer … mortal', 'heart' … hurt'

'mingled … singled', 'killer … mortal', 'heart' … hurt' analyse

Final stanza's opposites reflect inner conflict — lover and killer. War destroys both sides of the self.