In the excerpt from Back by Henry Green, Green tells the sorrows of a young man (Charley) returning from war. Scared from a lover’s death and the effects of war on his mental and physical being, the mood of this piece is deplorable. It is expressed in the excerpt that Charley has some resentment and hostility due to the lack of his presence during the time of his lover Rose’s death. Mentally the character refers to most descriptions in a war state of mind.
The excerpt began on a cloudy yet summer day in England. Green is opening the piece with a contrast statement, which shows that even though it is a summer day which is associated with sun and warmth there is a dismal and cold mood. In the excerpt Charley has a tendency to interpret his surroundings with a war related state of mind. “…He noticed well those slits built for defense in the blood coloured brick.” (line 5-6).
In reference to the church tower which is usually perceived as a safe haven, it is viewed as a defense mechanism to Charley. He also refers to the bricks as “blood coloured” as a replacement for red. Green’s use of negative description in the quote is a reflection of Charley’s outlook on his environment.
Roses are a symbol of beauty and romance yet in this excerpt Green utilizes them as a reflection of death. “For, climbing around and up these trees of mourning, was rose after rose, while, here and there, the spray overburdened by the mass of flower…” This is a direct contrast, when one thinks of graveyards roses are not usually in the view. “…he did not wish to be observed. So he no longer watched the roses.” Charley, being effected by roses in a harmful event, (the lose of his leg) bears a grudge and feels shameful against them. “…roses gay and bright which, as still as this dark afternoon, stared at whosoever looked, or hung their heads to droop, to grow stained, to die when their turn came.” It is as if he given the impression of the roses being as humankind.
The Term Paper on Comparison: “A Rose For Emily” And “The Death
Comparison: "A Rose For Emily" And "The Death Of Ivan Illych”William Faulkner was born in the American South, dropped out of high school in tenth grade and published his more popular works between 1954 and 1962. Interestingly enough, Leo Tolstoy was born into a noble Russian family, his official title being Count, entered the University of Kazan at age sixteen and wrote his most popular works ...
In the excerpt, Charley felt embarrassed for where Rose was buried and him not being present during her death. Although in the piece Green refers to majority of the events in a war mind set he speaks of Rose only in a loving and endearing manner. The red in her hair is not described as blood red but ordinary red, a direct indication of his love for her.
Henry Green demonstrates the detrimental effects the war has on the young man Charley. Henry Green uses the roses as motifs to express Charley’s scorn.
Green expresses how Charley has be permanently scared mentally and emotionally by the war. He has lose his leg, Rose, and piece of mind. Although Rose is dead physically, it is like Charley is dead spiritually and emotionally. Charley has been stripped of all his humanity.
