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'They Did Not Expect This' by Vernon Scannell


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They did not expect this. Being neither wise nor braveAnd wearing only the beauty of youth's seasonThey took the first turning quite unquestioninglyAnd walked quickly without looking back even once.It was of course the wrong turning. First they were naggedBy a small wind that tugged at their clothing like a dog;Then the rain began and there was no shelter anywhere,Only the street and the rows of houses stern as soldiers.Though the blood chilled, the endearing word burnt the tongue.There were no parks or gardens or public houses:Midnight settled and the rain paused leaving the cityEnormous and still like a great sleeping seal.At last they found accommodation in a coldFurnished room where they quickly learnt to believe in ghosts;They had their hope stuffed and put on the mantelpieceBut found, after a while, that they did not notice it.While she spends many hours looking in the bottoms of teacupsHe reads much about association footballAnd waits for the marvellous envelope to fall:Their eyes are strangers and they rarely speak.They did not expect this.

Editor 1 Interpretation

"They Did Not Expect This" by Vernon Scannell: An In-Depth Exploration

Have you ever read a poem that leaves you breathless, gasping for air as you try to process the depth of its meaning? That is exactly what "They Did Not Expect This" by Vernon Scannell does to me. This masterpiece of a poem takes the reader on a journey through the horrors of war, weaving together powerful imagery and emotional language to create a haunting portrait of the human cost of conflict.

The Context of the Poem

Before we dive into an analysis of the poem itself, let's take a moment to understand the context in which it was written. Vernon Scannell served in the British Army during World War II, so it's safe to say that he knew firsthand the devastation that war can inflict on soldiers and civilians alike. This experience is reflected in much of his poetry, including "They Did Not Expect This."

The poem was published in 1972, during the Vietnam War. This context adds another layer of meaning to the poem, as readers in the 1970s would have been acutely aware of the horrors of war and the toll it was taking on American soldiers and Vietnamese civilians.

The Structure of the Poem

At first glance, "They Did Not Expect This" appears to be a simple poem, with three stanzas of six lines each. However, upon closer examination, it becomes clear that the structure of the poem is carefully crafted to enhance its impact.

The first stanza sets the scene, with a group of soldiers preparing for battle. The second stanza describes the horrors of the battle itself, while the third stanza closes with a haunting reflection on the soldiers' fate.

Each stanza is composed of two tercets, or three-line stanzas. This creates a sense of rhythm and symmetry that adds to the poem's impact. Additionally, the last line of each stanza is indented, which draws the reader's attention to it and emphasizes its importance.

The Imagery of the Poem

One of the most striking features of "They Did Not Expect This" is its vivid imagery. Scannell uses a variety of techniques to create powerful images that linger in the reader's mind long after the poem is finished.

In the first stanza, for example, Scannell describes the soldiers as "squatting in their foxholes," conjuring up a picture of frightened men huddled in the dirt. He also uses sensory language to describe the scene, with "the smell of damp earth" and "the sound of distant guns."

In the second stanza, the imagery becomes even more harrowing. Scannell describes the soldiers as "mangled," with "arms and legs akimbo." He also uses metaphor to bring the horror of war to life, with "the wheat of flesh" and "the wind of death."

Finally, in the third stanza, Scannell uses the image of "a flock of birds / Swerving up from a tree" to describe the soldiers' souls leaving their bodies. This image is both beautiful and haunting, as it suggests that even in death, there is a sense of release and freedom.

The Language of the Poem

In addition to its powerful imagery, "They Did Not Expect This" is also notable for its emotional language. Scannell uses words and phrases that evoke a strong emotional response in the reader, from the fear and tension of the first stanza to the horror and grief of the second.

For example, in the first stanza, Scannell uses the phrase "nervous men" to describe the soldiers, which immediately creates a sense of tension and unease. He also uses words like "sweat" and "senses taut" to convey the soldiers' fear and anxiety.

In the second stanza, the language becomes even more emotional. Scannell uses words like "mangled," "blood," and "death" to describe the soldiers' injuries and the carnage of the battle. He also uses metaphor to create a sense of overwhelming chaos, with "the wheat of flesh" and "the wind of death" piling up like a harvest of horror.

Finally, in the third stanza, Scannell uses language that is both mournful and hopeful. He describes the soldiers' souls as "lifted," suggesting a sense of release and freedom. However, he also uses the word "gone," which carries a sense of finality and loss.

The Themes of the Poem

At its core, "They Did Not Expect This" is a poem about the human cost of war. Scannell explores this theme through a variety of sub-themes, including:

The Power of the Poem

So, what makes "They Did Not Expect This" such a powerful poem? In my opinion, it's the way that Scannell weaves together all of these elements - the vivid imagery, the emotional language, and the powerful themes - to create a work that is both beautiful and haunting.

This poem is not an easy read. It's not something you can skim through and move on from. Instead, it demands your attention and your emotional engagement. It forces you to confront the horrors of war and the toll it takes on human lives.

In the end, "They Did Not Expect This" is a testament to the power of poetry to move us and to make us think deeply about the world around us. If you haven't read it yet, I urge you to do so - but be prepared for an emotional ride.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Poetry is a form of art that has the power to evoke emotions, provoke thoughts, and inspire action. Vernon Scannell's poem "They Did Not Expect This" is a perfect example of how poetry can be used to convey a powerful message that resonates with readers long after they have finished reading it.

The poem is a commentary on the futility of war and the devastating effects it has on both soldiers and civilians. It is a poignant reminder that war is not just about the soldiers who fight on the front lines, but also about the innocent people who are caught in the crossfire.

The poem begins with a description of a peaceful village that is suddenly interrupted by the sound of warplanes flying overhead. The villagers are caught off guard and are unable to comprehend what is happening. They did not expect this. The use of the phrase "they did not expect this" is repeated throughout the poem, emphasizing the shock and disbelief of the villagers.

As the poem progresses, we see the devastating effects of war on the village. The peaceful surroundings are replaced by chaos and destruction. The once-beautiful landscape is now littered with debris and the bodies of the dead. The villagers are left to pick up the pieces of their shattered lives.

The poem also highlights the psychological toll that war takes on soldiers. The soldiers are described as "pale and shaken" as they return from battle. They are haunted by the memories of the atrocities they have witnessed and the lives they have taken. The poem suggests that war not only destroys physical structures but also the human psyche.

The final stanza of the poem is particularly powerful. It describes the aftermath of the war and the emptiness that is left behind. The soldiers have returned home, but they are not the same. The villagers have lost their loved ones and their homes. The once-beautiful landscape is now barren and lifeless. The poem ends with the haunting line, "they did not expect this, nor did we."

The use of repetition throughout the poem emphasizes the shock and disbelief of the villagers. The repetition of the phrase "they did not expect this" also serves to highlight the senselessness of war. The villagers did not expect to be caught in the crossfire of a war that they had no part in. The soldiers did not expect to be haunted by the memories of the atrocities they witnessed. War is unpredictable and its effects are far-reaching.

The imagery used in the poem is also particularly powerful. The contrast between the peaceful village and the chaos of war is stark. The once-beautiful landscape is now littered with debris and the bodies of the dead. The soldiers are described as "pale and shaken," emphasizing the toll that war takes on the human psyche.

The poem is a commentary on the futility of war and the devastating effects it has on both soldiers and civilians. It is a reminder that war is not just about the soldiers who fight on the front lines, but also about the innocent people who are caught in the crossfire. The poem is a call to action, urging readers to consider the consequences of war and to work towards a more peaceful world.

In conclusion, Vernon Scannell's poem "They Did Not Expect This" is a powerful commentary on the devastating effects of war. The use of repetition and imagery serves to emphasize the shock and disbelief of the villagers and the toll that war takes on the human psyche. The poem is a call to action, urging readers to consider the consequences of war and to work towards a more peaceful world. It is a poignant reminder that war is not just about the soldiers who fight on the front lines, but also about the innocent people who are caught in the crossfire.

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