Analysis and Interpretations of Reed's Poem, Naming of Parts

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“Today we have naming of parts”. In the poem “Naming of parts” written by Henry Reed, the author uses subtle text to get his message across. The poem could be interpreted two ways; one way is that the poem depicts a group of military recruits receiving a lecture from their head officer on guns and how to use them. Another interpretation of this poem could be about love making, and what young men should be doing with their parts. In the spring they should be learning what to do; and enjoy them selves. Young men have a vital role in this poem, through learning about guns and the birds and the bees, this is helped by the many interruptions that help realize this idea.

The men are a vital role in the poem, as the general, uses his military background to help guide and train the “privates” he also distinguishes the role that the men will have to play later on with after the war is done and over with. To help realize this idea it is developed through the speaker, imagery and irony

The poem could be interpreted in two ways, there are two speakers, 1 persona speaking and the second person is who their speaking to. Throughout the poem the speakers change from verse to verse. In the second stanza: “This is the lower sling swivel. And this/ Is the upper sling swivel, whose use you will see, /When you are given your slings”. This could be a direct comparison of a general talking to his troops and discussing the parts of the rifle. The general could have two motifs for discussing the rifle; one could be that he must train his troops or “privates” for battle. The next could be, after the war is done and over, many of the troops would’ve been killed in battle and the population would be significantly lower. As this poem was written in 1946...

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...ays two vital roles in WWII, it shows how officers in the military must act and, know all their parts, meaning to know all the rules and regulations but also know the importance, how to use guns and weapons. The officers must also realize that after the war has ended, there would be a great casualty in the drop of men. The poem is subtle is the sense that you really have to read and understand the poem before making any assumptions. As I have read the poem many times it took me a while to fully comprehend and understand what Reed was trying to interpret. As the duties of a private would be: to fight the war and engage the enemy; but also after the war is over they would have to return home and follow the order of the general and find a suitable women and create a family with her. There are always duties for privates, as they always have a vital command to oblige to.

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