Essay Questions

Why does Jones directly address the reader in the poem?

In the poem, Jones directly addresses the reader, referring to them as "you." In doing so, he involves the reader in the events of the text, and to an extent, he requests some responsibility and accountability for what takes place. For example, he tells the reader that they "ought to ask" questions about why the war happened, and what it means. As such, the fact that Jones addresses the audience makes the meaning of the text more piercing and direct.

How does Jones' use of form reflect the subject-matter of the poem?

Jones writes in free verse in this poem, meaning that it is not constrained with rhyming and rhythmic rules. Instead, the poem moves from one thing to another without restriction which reflects the chaotic experience of a soldier on the battlefield, who is constantly alert and on the lookout. As such, the use of form in this poem seems appropriate for a text about warfare.

How does Jones use details to paint a picture of the everyday lives of soldiers?

Jones has been praised by many critics for his grueling and horrific descriptions of everyday life in the trenches. His attention to detail, in particular, has been praised, including details about life in the trenches and on the battlefield that only a former soldier could recount. For example, he describes interactions between soldiers and officers, the clothes they wore, living conditions, and details about tasks and orders. For example, he describes the soldier's diet in the following passage:

"They were given tines of bully beef and ration biscuits for the first time, and felt like real expeditionary soldiers."

As such, as well as seeing In Parenthesis as a literary text, we might also see it as a historical text, illuminating this troubling time of conflict and warfare, and the details of everyday life for soldiers.