Stephen Crane uses irony to convey his negative attitude towards war in "War is Kind." In this poem, Crane writes that war is kind because it "maketh all things even." This statement is meant to be sarcastic, as it implies that war is the great equalizer, leveling everything in its path. However, the reality of war is that it is destructive and chaotic, causing suffering and death rather than bringing about equality.
By stating that "war is kind," Crane is actually expressing his belief that war is the opposite of kind. He is using irony to highlight the absurdity of war and to convey his belief that it is a destructive force that causes suffering and chaos rather than bringing about any positive outcomes.
To grasp Crane's point of view, it is important to distinguish what is directly stated from what is really meant. By reading the poem closely and understanding the use of irony, the reader can see that Crane is not actually saying that war is kind, but rather that it is the opposite. Through his use of irony, Crane is able to convey his negative attitude towards war and the destructive power it holds.