Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

Howard Nemerov's poem "Memory of the War" offers a strikingly personal and unvarnished reflection on the absurdities and brutal realities of wartime experiences. Through a straightforward narrative, Nemerov conveys the disorienting and often surreal nature of military service, capturing a moment that juxtaposes the mundane with the potential for sudden violence.

The poem begins with a candid admission: "Most what I know of war is what I learned / When mine was over and they shipped me home." This opening sets a tone of retrospective contemplation, suggesting that the speaker's understanding of the war comes not from direct combat or strategic insight but from his post-war experiences and reflections. It also implies a sense of detachment or disconnection from the larger, more heroic narratives typically associated with wartime.

The speaker's role in the Royal Air Force (RAF) as a chauffeur is significant. Being a chauffeur is a relatively low-ranking, non-combat position, which underscores his distance from the direct action of war. The line "And didn't know the first damn thing about / The American way of doing anything" humorously highlights the cultural dissonance and confusion often felt by those thrust into foreign or unfamiliar military contexts.

The narrative then shifts to a specific, vivid memory: being assigned as the "Officer of the Day" on a ship at midnight. This sudden and somewhat bewildering responsibility contrasts sharply with his previous duties. The "whopping great / Blue automatic" symbolizes the sudden imposition of authority and violence into his otherwise non-combatant role. The description of the weapon as "whopping great" adds a touch of irony and emphasizes the speaker's sense of incongruity and disbelief.

The poem reaches its emotional and thematic peak with the speaker's confusion about the gun's purpose: "But what's this for?" The reply he receives is chilling in its bluntness: "If this ship shows any sign / Of going down, you shoot down the first sonofabitch / sticks his head up through this hatch." This directive highlights the harsh, often brutal pragmatism of war, where the preservation of order and control can necessitate extreme measures.

The speaker's final lines, "So that is what I did, and how I learned / About the War: I sat there till relieved," encapsulate the poem's exploration of wartime absurdity. The act of sitting guard with a weapon, prepared to kill one's own comrades in a moment of crisis, serves as a poignant commentary on the dehumanizing and paradoxical nature of military duty. The mundane act of waiting "till relieved" becomes a metaphor for the broader experience of soldiers who endure the war's absurdities and dangers, often with little understanding of the larger purpose or context.

In "Memory of the War," Nemerov masterfully uses a personal anecdote to explore broader themes of wartime absurdity, cultural dissonance, and the harsh pragmatism that often governs military life. The poem's straightforward narrative style, combined with its ironic and reflective tone, invites readers to consider the complex and often surreal realities faced by those who serve in war, far removed from the romanticized or heroic images typically associated with military conflict. Through this intimate and candid portrayal, Nemerov offers a powerful commentary on the nature of war and the lasting impact it has on those who experience it.

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