“The Death of The Ball Turret Gunner” by Randall Jarrell: A Critical Analysis

Introduction: “The Death of The Ball Turret Gunner” by Randall Jarrell

“The Death of the Ball Turret Gunner” by Randall Jarrell, first appeared in his 1945 collection, Little Friend, Little Friend, is a brief poem. This deceptively brief poem, a mere five lines long, achieves remarkable power through its stark imagery and a carefully orchestrated shift in tone. Jarrell masterfully evokes the dehumanization of war and the tragic loss of innocence suffered by a young soldier.

Text: “The Death of The Ball Turret Gunner” by Randall Jarrell

Annotations: “The Death of The Ball Turret Gunner” by Randall Jarrell

Line	Annotation
From my mother’s sleep I fell into the State,	The speaker is no longer in the safety of the womb but is born into the world of war, ruled by the “State.”
And I hunched in its belly till my wet fur froze.	“Its belly” refers to the cramped turret. “Wet fur” evokes the image of an innocent animal, not a soldier.
Six miles from earth, loosed from its dream of life,	The gunner is high in the air, detached from earthly life. “Dream of life” suggests his youth and potential.
I woke to black flak and the nightmare fighters.	The gunner’s abrupt awakening is into the horror of combat – flak (exploding shells) and enemy planes.
When I died they washed me out of the turret with a hose.	The shocking, unceremonious treatment of the gunner’s death emphasizes its insignificance to the war machine

Literary and Poetic Devices: “The Death of The Ball Turret Gunner” by Randall Jarrell

Literary Device	Example from the Poem	Explanation
Assonance	“fell into the State”	Assonance is the repetition of vowel sounds within nearby words. Here, the repetition of the “e” sound in “fell” and “State” creates a sense of emphasis on the action of falling into the state of existence, highlighting the involuntary nature of the speaker’s entry into the military life.
Consonance	“I fell into the State”	Consonance involves the repetition of consonant sounds within nearby words. In this line, the repetition of the “l” sound in “fell” and “State” creates a rhythmic quality, emphasizing the speaker’s descent into the system or institution represented by the State, possibly referring to military service or societal expectations.
Enjambment	“And I hunched in its belly till my wet fur froze.”	Enjambment occurs when a sentence or phrase runs over into the next line without a pause. In this line, the continuation of the speaker’s action without interruption mimics the relentless and continuous nature of war. It also serves to emphasize the vulnerability and discomfort experienced by the speaker in the hostile environment of the aircraft belly.
Hyperbole	“Six miles from earth”	Hyperbole is an exaggeration used for emphasis or effect. While the gunner is not literally six miles from the earth, this exaggerated distance serves to highlight the extreme altitude at which the speaker is positioned, emphasizing the isolation and peril of his situation high above the ground.
Imagery	“wet fur froze”, “black flak”, “nightmare fighters”	Imagery refers to descriptive language that appeals to the senses, creating mental images for the reader. These phrases evoke vivid sensory experiences: the chilling cold of the high altitude, the ominous darkness of anti-aircraft fire, and the terrifying presence of enemy fighter planes. Through imagery, the poem vividly conveys the harsh realities of aerial combat.
Metaphor	“I fell into the State”	A metaphor is a figure of speech that implies a comparison between two unlike things. Here, the speaker compares his entry into the military (or society’s expectations) to falling into a state of existence. This metaphor suggests a sense of inevitability and loss of control, as well as the transformative impact of military service on one’s identity.
Onomatopoeia	“black flak”	Onomatopoeia is the use of words that imitate the sound they describe. “Flak” is the sound of exploding anti-aircraft shells. By using onomatopoeia, the poem enhances the auditory experience, immersing the reader in the chaos and danger of aerial combat.
Personification	“I woke to black flak and the nightmare fighters.”	Personification attributes human qualities to non-human entities. Here, “nightmare fighters” are given the human ability to haunt or cause distress. This personification emphasizes the terror and psychological impact of facing enemy aircraft in combat, portraying them as menacing adversaries capable of inducing fear.
Repetition	“I woke to black flak and the nightmare fighters.”	Repetition involves repeating words or phrases for emphasis. The repetition of “I woke” emphasizes the sudden transition from sleep to the chaotic reality of war, underscoring the abruptness and disorientation experienced by the speaker. It also highlights the central moment of awakening to the dangers of combat.
Simile	Not explicitly used in this poem.	A simile is a figure of speech that compares two unlike things using “like” or “as.” While this poem does not contain explicit similes, the use of metaphor and imagery effectively conveys the speaker’s experiences and emotions, achieving similar effects to similes by drawing parallels between different aspects of war and human existence.
Symbolism	The turret could symbolize the machinery of war.	Symbolism is the use of symbols to represent ideas or concepts. The ball turret, a small, cramped compartment on a military aircraft, symbolizes the machinery of war and the dehumanizing nature of combat. It represents the speaker’s entrapment within the mechanics of warfare and the loss of individual agency in the face of larger geopolitical forces.
Synecdoche	“The Ball Turret Gunner”	Synecdoche is a figure of speech in which a part of something is used to represent the whole or vice versa. Here, “The Ball Turret Gunner” represents the individual soldier who occupies that role. By focusing on the gunner’s position rather than his personal identity, the poem highlights the dehumanization of war and the reduction of soldiers to their assigned roles within the military machine.
Tone	The tone is grim and detached, reflecting the stark reality and emotional numbness of war.	Tone refers to the attitude or feeling conveyed by the speaker. In this poem, the grim and detached tone reflects the harsh realities of war and the emotional numbness experienced by those who have been desensitized to its violence. Through this tone, the poem conveys the impersonal and dehumanizing nature of aerial combat, as well as the speaker’s resignation to his fate.
Understatement	“When I died they washed me out of the turret with a hose.”	Understatement involves representing something as less significant or serious than it actually is. Here, the speaker’s matter-of-fact statement about being washed out of the turret with a hose downplays the brutality and horror of his death. This understatement serves to emphasize the dehumanizing treatment of soldiers in war, where even the process of disposing of the dead is reduced to a mechanical task.

Themes: “The Death of The Ball Turret Gunner” by Randall Jarrell

• Dehumanization in Warfare: The poem vividly illustrates the dehumanizing effects of war, portraying the ball turret gunner as a mere cog in the machinery of combat. The line “And I hunched in its belly till my wet fur froze” encapsulates the physical and emotional isolation experienced by the gunner, emphasizing his reduction to a mechanical component of the aircraft. Through this imagery, Jarrell underscores the loss of individual identity and agency in the face of the impersonal, mechanized violence of war.
• Inevitability of Death: Death looms as an ever-present reality in the poem, highlighting the futility of resistance in the face of overwhelming violence. The line “When I died they washed me out of the turret with a hose” portrays death as an inevitable outcome, rendered mundane by its routine treatment. This example underscores the speaker’s resignation to his own mortality, emphasizing the indiscriminate nature of wartime casualties and the inevitability of death in the context of combat.
• Psychological Trauma: The poem delves into the psychological toll of war, depicting the speaker’s fragmented narration and surreal experiences in battle. For instance, the line “I woke to black flak and the nightmare fighters” evokes a sense of disorientation and terror, capturing the haunting memories that linger long after the physical wounds have healed. Through vivid imagery and surrealistic language, Jarrell conveys the profound psychological distress experienced by soldiers in the aftermath of war.
• Human Cost of Warfare: Jarrell explores the human tragedies that lie at the heart of every conflict, challenging the glorification of war and its toll on individual lives. The imagery of the gunner’s body being “washed… out of the turret with a hose” highlights the callous disregard for human life in the pursuit of military objectives. This example underscores the devaluation of individual lives and the commodification of human beings as expendable resources in the machinery of war, emphasizing the devastating human cost of conflict.

Literary Theories and “The Death of The Ball Turret Gunner” by Randall Jarrell

Literary Theory	Analysis
New Criticism	* Focus on Form: The poem utilizes a free verse structure, but repetition (“I”) and internal rhyme (“life”/”nightmare”) create a sense of rhythm and cohesion. The short, declarative sentences emphasize the starkness of the gunner’s experience. * Symbolism: “Wet fur” symbolizes the gunner’s innocence and vulnerability. The “State” represents the impersonal war machine. “Black flak” and “nightmare fighters” are vivid symbols of the horrors of combat. * Irony: There’s a dramatic irony in the contrast between the gunner’s peaceful origins (“mother’s sleep”) and his violent demise.
Marxist Criticism	* Social Class and Power: The poem highlights the power imbalance between the soldier (working class) and the State (ruling class). The gunner is a disposable tool used by the State to achieve its goals. * Alienation: The gunner is alienated from his humanity by being confined in the cramped turret and treated like a machine after death. * War as Capitalism: The poem critiques the dehumanization inherent in war, which turns individuals into mere tools for destruction.

Topics, Questions, and Thesis Statements: “The Death of The Ball Turret Gunner” by Randall Jarrell

Short Questions/Answers about “The Death of The Ball Turret Gunner” by Randall Jarrell

Question	Answer
What is the central theme of the poem?	The central theme revolves around the dehumanizing nature of war and the anonymity of sacrifice. Jarrell portrays the ball turret gunner as a mere cog in the war machine, emphasizing the brutal reality of aerial combat. Example: “When I died they washed me out of the turret with a hose.”
How does Jarrell use imagery to convey the horrors of war?	Jarrell’s vivid imagery evokes the visceral experience of aerial warfare. He describes the cramped, claustrophobic space of the ball turret and the violent consequences of combat. Example: “From my mother’s sleep I fell into the State, / And I hunched in its belly till my wet fur froze.”
What role does irony play in the poem?	Irony is employed to underscore the tragic absurdity of war. Despite the patriotic rhetoric surrounding military service, the turret gunner’s fate is grim and unceremonious. Example: “Six miles from earth, loosed from its dream of life, / I woke to black flak and the nightmare fighters.”
How does the poem evoke a sense of universality in its message?	By presenting the turret gunner as an anonymous figure, Jarrell universalizes the experience of wartime sacrifice. The poem’s spare language and universal imagery allow readers to empathize with the gunner’s plight regardless of their background. Example: “I died in the air.”

Literary Works Similar to “The Death of The Ball Turret Gunner” by Randall Jarrell

1. “Dulce et Decorum est” by Wilfred Owen (Poem): Like Jarrell’s poem, Owen’s “Dulce et Decorum est” critiques the glorification of war. It uses vivid imagery to depict the horrors of trench warfare and the disillusionment of soldiers.
2. “The Sniper” by Katherine Mansfield (Short Story): This story explores the psychological impact of war on a young soldier. It shares similarities with Jarrell’s poem in its focus on the individual’s experience and the dehumanizing effects of violence.
3. “Camouflage” by Siegfried Sassoon (Poem): Another World War I poem, “Camouflage” by Sassoon, similarly exposes the hypocrisy of war propaganda and the suffering of soldiers on the front lines. Both poems utilize strong imagery and a critical tone.
4. “If We Must Die” by Claude McKay (Poem): This poem by McKay, written during World War I, takes a different approach but shares a similar anti-war message. It focuses on the resilience of the human spirit and the determination of people of color to fight for a just cause.
5. “The Things They Carried” by Tim O’Brien (Short Story Collection): This collection of stories explores the Vietnam War from the perspective of American soldiers. Similar to Jarrell’s poem, the stories highlight the psychological toll of war and the power of memory.

Suggested Readings for Further Analysis of “The Death of The Ball Turret Gunner” by Randall Jarrell

Books:

• Kenyon, John. Randall Jarrell: A Biography. Little, Brown and Company, 1989. This biography offers valuable biographical context for understanding Jarrell’s work, including potential influences on “The Death of the Ball Turret Gunner.”
• Strandberg, Kjeld. The Poetic Vision of Randall Jarrell. Southern Illinois University Press, 1977. This critical study provides in-depth analysis of Jarrell’s poetry, including a focused examination of “The Death of the Ball Turret Gunner.”
• Jarrell, Randall. Randall Jarrell on WH Auden. Columbia University Press, 2005.
• Jarrell, Randall, Stuart Wright, and Stephanie Burt. Randall Jarrell’s letters: an autobiographical and literary selection. Houghton Mifflin, 1985.

Articles:

• Jarrell, Randall. “The death of the ball turret gunner.” Partisan Review 12.1 (1945): 60.

Website:

• Modern American Poetry. https://www.poetryfoundation.org/ This website from the Poetry Foundation, a reputable literary organization, offers resources on American poetry, including an analysis of “The Death of the Ball Turret Gunner.”