Setting

The setting of the poem "The Hero” by Siegfried Sassoon is Jack’s mother’s house. However, the physical setting is less important in the context of the poem than the mood and atmosphere created by the situation. 

The place which triggers Jack’s panic and his resolve to escape the war is significantly called “Wicked Corner” (l. 15). The name suggests that the place is dangerous. It could also be a general metaphor for the harsh realities of war, which are completely different from their idealized representations.

Jack’s death in the line of duty and his mother’s grief and pride offer a solemn atmosphere. However, this is subverted in the second part of the story, when the perspective shifts to that of the officer. When we learn of the true cir...