Vergissmeinnicht

By Keith Douglas (1920–1944)

Context

• Keith Douglas was a British poet and soldier who is best known for his war poetry, written during World War II. He enlisted as soon as the war was declared and saw action in several significant battles, including the Battle of El Alamein in North Africa. "Vergissmeinnicht" was written in response to his experiences during this battle. The title of the poem, which means "Forget-me-not" in German, comes from a real photograph found on a dead enemy soldier, with the words "Steffi. Vergissmeinnicht" written on it. The poem reflects the brutality of war and the dehumanising effect it has on soldiers. Despite his duty as a soldier, Douglas privately felt that combat was stripping away his humanity, and this is evident in the cold, detached tone of the poem. Douglas was killed in action shortly after the D-Day invasion in Normandy.

The Poem

Three weeks gone and the combatants gone

returning over the nightmare ground

← Metaphpor

we found the place again, and found

the soldier sprawling in the sun.

← Imagery, contrast and juxtaposition

The frowning barrel of his gun

overshadowing. As we came on

that day, he hit my tank with one

like the entry of a demon.

← Simile

Look. Here in the gunpit spoil

← Metaphor

the dishonoured picture of his girl

who has put: Steffi. Vergissmeinnicht.

← Sibilance

in a copybook gothic script.

We see him almost with content,

abased, and seeming to have paid

and mocked at by his own equipment

that's hard and good when he's decayed.

But she would weep to see today

how on his skin the swart flies move;

the dust upon the paper eye

and the burst stomach like a cave.

For here the lover and killer are mingled

← Juxtaposition and paradox

who had one body and one heart.

And death who had the soldier singled

has done the lover mortal hurt.

5 Quotes + Analysis to Achieve a Grade 9

1. Language device = Symbolism. "Vergissmeinnicht" Analysis: The title and word "Vergissmeinnicht," which means "Forget-me-not," symbolises both the soldier's plea for remembrance and a warning not to forget the horrors of war. It ties the personal, intimate moment of the soldier's love for Steffi with the broader, universal tragedy of war.

2. Language device = Metaphor. "Nightmare ground" Analysis: The metaphor "nightmare ground" sets the scene of a battlefield that is so terrifying and confusing that it hardly seems real. This phrase captures the traumatic, surreal nature of war, where the environment itself becomes part of the horror.

3. Language device = Imagery, contrast and juxtaposition. "the soldier sprawling in the sun" Analysis:

• The word "sprawling" suggests a casual, almost relaxed posture, which contrasts sharply with the grim reality of the dead soldier. The image of the soldier lying in the sun evokes an eerie calm, as though the natural environment is indifferent to the violence and death that has occurred. This juxtaposition between the peacefulness of the sun and the lifeless body adds to the unsettling nature of the scene. The serene image of the soldier lying in the sunlight contrasts with the violent way in which he likely died, emphasising the disconnection between nature's tranquility and the brutality of war.

4. Language device = Simile. "Like the entry of a demon" Analysis: This simile conveys the narrator's view of the enemy soldier as an evil, almost supernatural force. This simile emphasises the narrator's perception of the enemy as inhuman and also reflects the fear and hatred the narrator feels towards the soldier, seeing him as a destructive force rather than a human being.

5. Language device = Juxtaposition and paradox. "For here the lover and killer are mingled" Analysis: The contrasting ideas of "lover" and "killer" highlight the split in the soldier's identity. The man who was cherished by Steffi is the same person who took part in violence and death on the battlefield. This juxtaposition emphasises the internal conflict between love and violence, which war often forces upon individuals. The merging of "lover" and "killer" creates a paradox, showing how war can transform individuals into both gentle and destructive beings.

Form

• Regular Stanzas with Disrupted Rhyme Scheme:
  • The poem consists of even, four-line stanzas, giving it a seemingly regular form. However, the rhyme scheme is inconsistent, with half-rhymes like "spoil/girl" and para-rhymes like "heart/hurt." This irregularity mirrors the chaotic and unsettling nature of war.

Structure

• Gradual Revelation:
  • Douglas reveals details of the narrative piece by piece, keeping the reader in suspense. Initially, it is unclear whether the men are searching for a friend or foe, adding tension to the poem. The slow unveiling of the dead soldier's identity and the personal connection to Steffi intensifies the emotional impact.
• The juxtaposition of Reactions:
  • The narrator's callous reaction to the dead body contrasts with Steffi's imagined grief. While the narrator feels "content" seeing his enemy "abased," Steffi would "weep" at the sight. This contrast highlights the dehumanising effect of war and the narrator's awareness of how it has altered his emotions.

Example Paragraph for a Grade 9 Answer:

In "Vergissmeinnicht," Douglas presents the effects of war as both dehumanising and tragic. The title, meaning "Forget-me-not," symbolises the soldier's desire to be remembered, but also serves as a reminder of the horrors of war. The "nightmare ground" sets a scene of terror and confusion, emphasising the traumatic impact of battle. Douglas contrasts the narrator's cold satisfaction in seeing the enemy "abased" with Steffi's imagined grief, highlighting how war distorts human emotions. The final lines, where "the lover and killer are mingled," show how war merges the identities of love and violence, making the soldier's death not just a loss in battle, but a "mortal hurt" to those he left behind.