A Day In ‘45

Thesis Statement The narrator in “A Day In ’45” speaks from his memory of a childhood event – when he heard about the atomic bomb being dropped. He speaks about how his world was so silent and peaceful with “a cloudless sky”. He wonders about this “on a day when a rock was dropped from the sun …” on another world. The narrator in “A Day In ’45” speaks from his memory of a childhood event – when he heard about the atomic bomb being dropped. He speaks about how his world was so silent and peaceful with “a cloudless sky”. He wonders about this “on a day when a rock was dropped from the sun …” on another world.

Explain how the imagery is effective in “A Day In ’45” The imagery in “A Day in ’45” is certainly effectively used. It appeals to our senses and uses contrast or juxtaposition to support the theme. Thematically, this poem speaks of the effect of war and the difference which existed in parts of the world during World War II. The imagery in “A Day in ’45” is certainly effectively used. It appeals to our senses and uses contrast or juxtaposition to support the theme. Thematically, this poem speaks of the effect of war and the difference which existed in parts of the world during World War II. To illustrate these different parts of the world Dawe uses images of “a cloudless sky” and “a rock being dropped from the sun” both images which are visually appealing. He also uses an image of “a hanging smell of gunpowder” to appeal to our sense of smell. By using these particular images Dawe also uses juxtaposition to support his theme. The first of these images is of his own very peaceful world; the second image is of the war torn Japan.

Explain how diction is used effectively in “A Day In ’45” The poem “A Day In ’45” really illustrates the effects of war on the way people might see the world. A young narrator is puzzled by the fact that in his world everything is so peaceful while adults are speaking of a rock being dropped from the sky in another world. To support this theme Tom Dawe uses a list of diction describing elements of violence: “gunpowder”, “muzzle loaders”, “cartridges” and “snares”. It might be considered ironic that all these things actually exist in his very peaceful world. As well, he juxtaposes two particular examples of diction next to each other – “mushroom clouds” and “ cloudless sky”. This use of juxtaposition enables him to show the different skies of the two worlds being compared.

Does this visual effectively portray the theme of “A Day in ’45”? How so?