Analysis (ai): This poem depicts the harrowing experiences of a wounded soldier in a military hospital. The speaker, a fellow soldier, witnesses the soldier's suffering and mental anguish as he struggles with his wounds and the horrors of war. The graphic imagery of the "wet white face" and "miserable eyes" conveys the physical and emotional torment endured by the dying soldier. The soldier's persistent cries for "Dickie" and his complaints about the "Wood" and the relentless rain reflect his delirium and the futility of the conflict. The poem concludes with the poignant contrast between the soldier's death and the "Slight Wound" lying peacefully on his bed, highlighting the senseless waste of human life in war.

Compared to Sassoon's other works, the poem shares his characteristic realism and anti-war sentiment. It aligns with his depictions of the horrors of trench warfare and the suffering of soldiers, as seen in poems like "The Dug-Out" and "Blighters." The poem also reflects the disillusionment and cynicism prevalent during World War I, capturing the sense of hopelessness and futility experienced by soldiers on the front lines. (hide)