Naming of Parts: A Soldier's F

Many soldiers understand that their particular occupation means that a time could come when they would have to give up their life for their country. The thoughts of one particular soldier are provided in the poem, “Naming of Parts” by Henry Reed. As the instructor lectures his soldiers about the different parts of a weapon -- a tool of war created to cause death, the listening soldier envisions elements of nature that are life giving. …

…contrasts the two distinct worlds of the instructor and the soldier. The instructor presents information about cold, hard, lifeless parts made of steel that are used to bring death while the soldier envisions different parts, parts that are warm, and give life. War results in the loss of life whereas procreation results in new birth. Although war is something we must deal with forever, it is comforting to know that life will still go on.