Korea Flashcards
“refused the blindfold…hands in his pockets”
By beginning the narrative with an example of both the cataclysmic trauma of war and the casual defiance of individuals, McGahern is able to clearly introduce the dark intricacies of conflict.
“pumped five bullets in rapid succession”
The sudden aggression implied by this highlights the spiteful vengeance induced in people as a result of exposure to the violence of war. The officer seems to be abusing his power to take away any sense of dignity from his adversaries.
Conflict seems to have robbed him of any sense of humanity he once had, and McGahern draws parallels between this man and the father to suggest that this dehumanisation is a common occurrence.
“It destroyed the day”
McGahern’s harsh choice of the verb “destroyed” suggests the continuation of the violence of war - the conflict has damaged his mind and the way he is able to see things, and McGahern uses this to elucidate the total destruction that war fan cause people both physically and mentally.
“There was something calculating in his face; it made me watchful of him as I rowed the last stretch of line”
McGahern’s negative use of the verb “calculating” gives rise to the feelings of caution and suspicion in the reader, which increases the tense atmosphere.
Furthermore, along with the verb “watchful”, McGahern uses this to further the reader’s feeling of the distrustful relationship between them.
The metaphorical meaning of “last stretch of line” implies that the relationship between the father and son is being stretched to breaking point, foreshadowing the climax of the narrative.
“As if I too had to prepare myself to murder”
McGahern uses the callous attitude of the son to reveal the inescapable continuity of violence, implying a hopeless future to the world.
“I knew my youth had ended”
McGahern uses this to reveal the harsh consequences of war on youth and innocence. He seems to suggest that one cannot exist in parallel with the other - they are two separate ends of the spectrum.
“I’m not going”, “it’ll be your own funeral”
The declarative resistance of “I’m not going” reveals the son’s newfound pride and defiance. Much like the man in the exposition of the story, he is resisting his “execution” with as much honour as he can manage. His refusal to give in would likely be respected by many readers.
The dark situational irony of the father’s response further reveals his heartless attitude; he speaks coldly and deceitfully, furthering the mistrust we as readers feel towards him.
