Language

The poem “Eve of Destruction” by P. F. Sloan has a very powerful message which is enhanced by certain techniques employed by the author. In what follows, we will look at some of these techniques and discuss their relevance about the poem.

Playing with the language

The author of “Eve of Destruction”, P. F. Sloan, relies extensively on wordplay in his poem. First, the author plays with language through unusual associations: “and even the Jordan river has bodies floatin’ (p. 45, l. 6) 

Then, wordplay is also created through the use of metaphors. The metaphor of the “grave” (p. 45, l. 14) suggests a gloomy and tragic outcome of the war and the use of nuclear weapons. The image created by this metaphor is quite dramatic, and it has the purpose of making readers better reflect on the realities of war.

Wordplay is also created by adjectives. For example, the adjective “crazy” (p. 45, l. 27) is employed to suggest that war resembles insanity and that there is no way to be rational in times of conflict.

Lastly, wordplay is also created through irony; the example of the “poundin’ of the drums” (p. 46, l. 5) is ironic. On the one hand, the drums may refer to the “pride” (p. 46, l. 5) of the soldiers who go into battle in glorious sounds; on the other hand, it may refer to the “disgrace” ...