'Incendiary' by Vernon Scannell


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That one small boy with a face like pallid cheese
And burnt-out little eyes could make a blaze
As brazen, fierce and huge, as red and gold
And zany yellow as the one that spoiled
Three thousand guineas' worth of property
And crops at Godwin's Farm on Saturday
Is frightening---as fact and metaphor:
An ordinary match intended for
The lighting of a pipe or kitchen fire
Misused may set a whole menagerie
Of flame-fanged tigers roaring hungrily.
And frightening, too, that one small boy should set
The sky on fire and choke the stars to heat
Such skinny limbs and such a little heart
Which would have been content with one warm kiss
Had there been anyone to offer this.


Submitted by Andrew Mayers

Editor 1 Interpretation

Incendiary by Vernon Scannell: A Fiery Interpretation

When it comes to war poems, Vernon Scannell's "Incendiary" is one that never fails to leave an impact on its readers. This poem is a masterpiece that captures the horrors of war and the pain it inflicts on innocent civilians. Scannell's use of vivid imagery, metaphors, and personification makes this poem a powerful work of art. In this literary interpretation, we will explore the themes, imagery, and literary devices used by the poet to convey his message.

Background of the Poem

Before we dive deep into the poem, it's important to understand the context in which it was written. "Incendiary" was written during World War II, a time when air raids were common in England. The poem is based on Scannell's own experience of being a member of the Royal Air Force during the war. As a teenager, Scannell joined the RAF in 1941 and was trained as a tail gunner. He was later transferred to a bomber crew and flew missions over Germany. It's safe to say that Scannell's own experiences influenced the themes and imagery in "Incendiary."

Themes in Incendiary

One of the main themes in "Incendiary" is the destruction caused by war. Through the use of vivid imagery, Scannell portrays the destruction and devastation caused by the bombs. The poem takes us to a quiet street in a small town that is suddenly awakened by the sound of bombs. Scannell describes the "hissing" sound of the bombs as they fall from the sky, piercing through roofs and walls, and causing fires. The poem captures the terror and chaos that ensues as people try to flee their homes and find shelter.

Another theme that Scannell explores in "Incendiary" is the loss of innocence. The poem shows us how war can affect innocent civilians who have nothing to do with the conflict. The people in the poem are caught in the middle of the war and are helpless in the face of the destruction that surrounds them. Scannell describes how the bombs "spill their fierce incendiary rubies" and "dribble sullen fires" that destroy everything in their path. The vivid imagery used by Scannell conveys the idea that war is not just an attack on military targets but also on innocent civilians who are caught in the crossfire.

Imagery in Incendiary

Scannell's use of imagery in "Incendiary" is what makes the poem so powerful. The vivid descriptions of the bombs falling from the sky, the fires burning, and the chaos that ensues make the reader feel like they are right there in the middle of the conflict. Scannell uses personification to give the bombs a life of their own, describing how they "slobber" and "dribble" fires. The use of personification makes the bombs seem like monsters that are destroying everything in their path.

Another example of Scannell's use of imagery is when he describes how the bombs "pierce roofs, crash in to the ground" and "tear up floors and scarper sideways." The use of these words creates a vivid picture in the mind of the reader of the destruction that the bombs cause. Scannell's use of metaphors is also noteworthy. When he describes the bombs as "incendiary rubies," he is comparing the bombs to precious gems that are beautiful but deadly. The use of this metaphor creates a stark contrast between the beauty of the gemstones and the destruction caused by the bombs.

Literary Devices in Incendiary

Scannell's use of literary devices in "Incendiary" is what makes the poem a work of art. The poem is written in free verse, which gives Scannell the freedom to experiment with the structure and rhythm of the poem. The poem is made up of four stanzas, each with a different number of lines. This creates a sense of chaos and unpredictability that mirrors the chaos of war.

Another literary device that Scannell uses is repetition. The phrase "falling, falling" is repeated throughout the poem, creating a sense of urgency and danger. The repetition of this phrase conveys the idea that the bombs are falling relentlessly, like raindrops, and that there is no escape from their destruction.

Conclusion

In conclusion, "Incendiary" by Vernon Scannell is a powerful poem that captures the horrors of war and the pain it inflicts on innocent civilians. Scannell's use of vivid imagery, metaphors, and personification creates a vivid picture in the mind of the reader of the destruction that the bombs cause. The themes of the poem, such as loss of innocence and the destruction caused by war, are still relevant today. The poem is a testament to the power of poetry to convey important messages and to make us reflect on the human cost of war.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Incendiary: A Poem of Destruction and Chaos

Vernon Scannell's poem Incendiary is a powerful and evocative work that explores the destructive power of fire and the chaos it can unleash. Through vivid imagery and a haunting tone, Scannell captures the horror and devastation of a bombing raid during World War II, and the impact it has on both the physical landscape and the people who inhabit it.

At its core, Incendiary is a poem about destruction. The opening lines set the tone for the rest of the work, as Scannell describes the "firebombing raid" that is about to take place. The use of the word "raid" immediately suggests violence and aggression, and the fact that it is a "firebombing" raid only adds to the sense of danger and destruction. The poem is set in a time of war, and Scannell makes it clear that this is a time when violence and destruction are commonplace.

As the poem progresses, Scannell describes the impact of the bombing raid on the physical landscape. He uses vivid imagery to paint a picture of the destruction that is taking place, describing the "flames that lick and writhe and rise" and the "smoke that billows black and thick." The use of alliteration in these lines adds to the sense of chaos and confusion, as the sounds of the words themselves seem to mimic the sounds of the fire and smoke.

But it is not just the physical landscape that is affected by the bombing raid. Scannell also explores the impact that it has on the people who inhabit the area. He describes the "screams of pain and fear" that can be heard, and the "shock and horror" that is etched on the faces of those who witness the destruction. The use of the word "eternal" to describe the horror suggests that this is not something that can be easily forgotten or overcome.

Throughout the poem, Scannell uses a variety of poetic techniques to convey the sense of chaos and destruction that is taking place. One of the most effective of these is his use of enjambment. By breaking lines in unexpected places, Scannell creates a sense of disorientation and confusion that mirrors the chaos of the bombing raid itself. For example, in the lines "The flames are making eerie shapes/And in the flickering light," the break between the two lines creates a pause that adds to the sense of uncertainty and unease.

Another technique that Scannell uses to great effect is his use of repetition. The repeated use of phrases such as "firebombing raid" and "flames that lick and writhe and rise" creates a sense of rhythm and momentum that mirrors the relentless advance of the fire. It also serves to reinforce the sense of destruction and chaos that is taking place.

But perhaps the most powerful aspect of Incendiary is the way in which Scannell uses language to convey the horror and devastation of the bombing raid. His use of vivid imagery and evocative language creates a sense of immediacy and urgency that draws the reader in and makes them feel as though they are witnessing the destruction firsthand. The use of sensory language, such as the "smell of burning" and the "sound of shattering glass," adds to the sense of realism and makes the poem all the more haunting.

In conclusion, Incendiary is a powerful and evocative poem that explores the destructive power of fire and the chaos it can unleash. Through vivid imagery and a haunting tone, Scannell captures the horror and devastation of a bombing raid during World War II, and the impact it has on both the physical landscape and the people who inhabit it. The use of poetic techniques such as enjambment and repetition, as well as the powerful use of language, make this a work that is both memorable and moving.

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