Growing up
In the poem, we see that many of the soldiers are told to "man up" and grow up. However, ironically many of the "men" were actually children.
The war to end all wars
At the time, the First World War was referred to as "the war to end all wars." However, we ironically know that this wasn't the case, as the Second World War occurred just decades after.
Nature
Although the first world war was incredibly mechanical, nature ironically has a huge presence in this text. This is because nature offers some consolation for the men, and also connects them with the universal theme of life and death.
Friendships
One of the only comforts available to the men during wartime is the friendships they share with other soldiers. However, even this is ironically and cruelly taken away from the men as the war claims more lives.
A natural writer
Ironically, before writing this poem Jones had not attempted writing before and had worked as an engraver. However, his talent for writing is clear, having earned the admiration of Yeats and T.S Eliot.
