In The Death of a Soldier, the personification and metaphorical use of death are used as a means of signifying the soldier’s role in the world; his significance. The soldier goes into combat knowing that he is only death; both his own and that of others. This poem highlights the soldier’s death in that it is not of huge significance, nor glorified in any fashion, as the soldier does not receive such. The narrator tells us that, “…death is expected” (1) and that, “Death is absolute and without memorial” (7). These excerpts show death being used both metaphorically and as personification.
By observing the lines in terms of personification, death is coming upon the soldier; bringing the soldier to his timely, unimportant end. “The clouds go on, nevertheless, in their direction” (11-12) says the narrator, meaning that the death of the soldier means nothing to the world. The soldier was simply a pawn in the chess game of life; its loss is insignificant. The absoluteness of the soldier’s death secures his irrelevance.
By taking a metaphorical standpoint, the soldier is related to death. The soldier is expected and receives no memorial for his actions, as he brought himself, death, to the world. The soldier marks himself as evil in this fashion, recognizing what he brings to the world, and because of this, “He does not become a three-day personage, imposing his separation, calling for pomp” (4-6). There is no celebration for him, as he does not call for such, as he recognizes that he is a wreaker of death, bringing honor to the soldier.
This poem was especially interesting for me because of how death could be taken; in terms of personification and metaphorically. It is interesting how a soldier in general is being depicted by Stevens, if interpreted in this fashion. The soldier’s recognition of himself as being evil is greatly significant in showing humbleness and maintaining the honor of the soldier, regardless of his insignificance in the world.
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