Structure & Poetic Techniques

Structure

• Rhyme scheme:
  • The poem follows an ABABCDCDEE rhyme scheme. This structured pattern contrasts with the chaotic realities of war.
• Stanza form:
  • "Base Details" is a single-stanza poem. This compact form mirrors Sassoon's concise and direct critique, allowing the poem to deliver its powerful message without distraction.

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Poetic Techniques

1. Alliteration: Alliteration is used in phrases like "Reading the roll of honour". The repetition of the 'r' sound emphasises the routine and detached way the officers recognise the soldiers' sacrifices. This technique highlights the superficial nature of their concern.
2. Juxtaposition: The juxtaposition in "Youth stone dead" contrasts the vitality of youth with the lifelessness of stone. This stark comparison underscores the senseless loss of young lives and the indifference of the officers who survived the war unscathed.

3. Irony: Irony is prevalent throughout the poem, especially in lines like "And when the war is done and youth stone dead, / I'd toddle safely home and die—in bed." The stark difference between the fates of the officers and the soldiers reveals the injustice of the situation, reinforcing Sassoon's critical perspective.

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