“Do not weep, maiden, for war is kind.
 
Because the lover threw wild hands toward the sky
 
And the affrighted steed ran on alone…”
S. Crane

Stephen Crane and his first poem “War is Kind” are known to those studying literature in many academic institutions. Besides, students often have to write essays on “War is Kind”.
 
If this is the task you work on, and you need assistance in writing your “War is Kind” essay, you have come to the right place. Below, you will find information that will help you to make a powerful essay on “War is Kind” and get a high grade on it.
 
The Ironic Key Used in the Poem
 
Before you start writing the “War is Kind” essay, ask yourself a question: can you imagine a war being kind? Hardly! It means that the author uses this contradiction purposely. He uses an ironic key. Why? To criticize those who are responsible for the people’s lives? To emphasize their sorrow? Or, probably, to show that we can do not that much to prevent a war? Present your thoughts about it to the reader in the essay on “War is Kind”.
 
The Main Theme
 
Does the author focus on the patriotism and heroism of soldiers? Or, does he emphasize their psychological torment? This is what you have to develop when talking about the main subject of the poem in your “War is Kind” essay. Since good “War is Kind” essays should be well grounded, give examples from the text to support your viewpoint.
 
A Critical Overview of the Poem
 
Some literary critics consider “War is Kind” to be overfilled with “martyrdom and bone-hard metaphor” (Bettina L. Knapp). Some of them assert that Crane used the same verse in all poems. You can disagree with them in your “War is Kind” essays. Compare and contrast the poem to other Сrane’s poems and present the results of your analysis in the “War is Kind” essay.
 
Remember, one of the keys to writing successful “War is Kind” essays is your correct understanding of the poem. So, we hope that this article will help you to comprehend the poem deeper. Now you are ready to make a good essay on “War is Kind”.
 
You can also read about a Truman Doctrine essay and get tips for making a nineteenth century essay.