War is Kind, By: Stephen Crane

Original
Do not weep, maiden, for war is kind,
Because your lover threw wild hands toward the sky
And the affrighted steed ran on alone,
Do not weep.
War is kind.

Hoarse, booming drums of the regiment,
Little souls who thirst for fight,
These men were born to drill and die.
The unexplained glory flies above them.
Great is the battle-god, great, and his kingdom--
A field where a thousand corpses lie.

Do not weep, babe, for war is kind.
Because your father tumbles in the yellow trenches,
Raged at his breast, gulped and died,
Do not weep.
War is kind.

Swift blazing flag of the regiment,
Eagle with crest of red and gold,
These men were born to drill and die.
Point for them the virtue of slaughter,
Make plain to them the excellence of killing
And a field where a thousand corpses lie.
Mother whose heart hung humble as a button
On the bright splendid shroud of your son,
Do not weep.
War is kind!

First Reaction
- War is Kind by Stephen Crane is a poem about the misfortunes of war. Crane also writes about how women cry over their husbands and sons being drafted into war. However, Crane wanted the women to know that the women should not cry because, “War is Kind.”

Paraphrased
Do not cry, women, because war is kind,
Because your men chose to fight for our country
And the frightened solider runs alone
Do not weep.
War is kind.

Rough, loud drums of the regiment
Men who live to fight,
They were born to fight and die.
The unknown outcome overcomes them,
The battle is great, fighting on the battlefield
A place where many men died.

Do not cry, lady, because war is kind,
Because your forefathers have been extinct,
Raged in battle, choked and died,
Do not weep.
War is kind.

Huge flag of the regiment,
With an red and gold eagle crest,
These men were born to fight and die
Point to them the action of the battlefield,
Make sure they know the feeling of killing
In a field where many man died.

Mothers whose hearts sink low
On the bright feel of your son,
Do not weep.War is Kind!

Syntax and Word Choice
- Some of lines in the poem depict the actual actions of war, while other lines describes the misery of women in respects to wartime. Also, Crane uses repetition by repeating the phrase, “War is kind.”
Imagery
- One of the images that Crane repeats in the poem is the image of thousands of bodies lying on the battlefield. More examples of imagery in the poem were the flag’s symbol, the beat of the drums, and the son’s button.
Figurative Language
- There are not any traces of similes and metaphors. However, there are allusions to Lucifer (god of the underworld) and Ares (god of battle).
Tone
- The tone of this poem is considered ironic and somewhat dark. The main reason for a dark tone is the way Crane repeats the phrase, “War is kind.” Also, Crane light hearted words to describe war.
Theme
- The theme that Crane was implying is “War is kind.” Crane wanted to show the women that war was a beautiful thing, when in reality, war was cold and dark. Overall, the real theme is “War is horrifying.”

Conclusion
- After reading the poem for a second time, I can fully understand that Crane wanted to make war seem like it was nothing to worry about. However, Crane subliminally uses an ominous tone to describe both the reality of war and the misery of the family.