EnglishLIT WWTL Quotes

their children…

their children were killed

'their children were killed' analysis

The blunt, direct sentence shows the sudden, brutal loss of innocence and life caused by war.

laughter is bitter…

Sir, laughter is bitter to the burned mouth. / all bones were charred.

'laughter is bitter to the burned mouth.' and 'all bones were charred.' analysis

Semantic field of burning and destruction highlights the devastation caused by war, erasing joy and reducing people to charred remains.

A dream…

A dream ago, perhaps.

'A dream ago, perhaps.' analysis

'A dream ago, perhaps.' analysis

When bombs smashed…

When bombs smashed those mirrors / there was time only to scream

'When bombs smashed those mirrors / there was time only to scream' analysis

The violent image of "smashed mirrors" shows destruction of beauty and identity; "only to scream" emphasises pure terror and helplessness.

Who can say?…

Who can say? It is silent now.

'Who can say? It is silent now.' analysis

The rhetorical question and caesura highlight the irreversible loss and silence left by the devastation of war.

Did the People…

'Did the People of Viet Nam / use lanterns of stone?', 'reverence the opening of buds?'

'Did the People of Viet Nam / use lanterns of stone?', 'reverence the opening of buds?' analyse

Buddhist symbolism suggests peace and spirituality; rhetorical questions highlight cultural loss.

Sir, their light hearts…

'Sir, their light hearts turned to stone', 'no more buds'

'Sir, their light hearts turned to stone', 'no more buds' analyse

Innocence is lost to trauma. 'Stone' and 'no more buds' show emotional and cultural destruction.

Did they use bone…

'Did they use bone and ivory, / jade and silver, for ornament?'

'Did they use bone and ivory, / jade and silver, for ornament?' analyse

Imagery of wealth and beauty lost; rhetorical question mourns cultural richness destroyed by war.

Did they distinguish…

'Did they distinguish between speech and singing?'

'Did they distinguish between speech and singing?' analyse

Alliteration emphasises harmony in their culture; the loss is felt in the silence that follows.

'maybe fathers told…

'maybe fathers told their sons old tales'

'maybe fathers told their sons old tales' analyse

Uncertainty reflects cultural erasure. Generational storytelling is threatened by war's devastation.