Question

Read the poem.

War is Kind by Stephen Crane Do not weep, maiden, for war is kind. Because your lover threw wild hands toward the sky And the affrighted steed ran on alone, Do not weep. War is kind.

Poetic Language and Devices Hoarse, booming drums of the regiment,
Little souls who thirst for fight,
These men were born to drill and die.
The unexplained glory flies above them,
Great is the battle god, great, and his kingdom
A field where a thousand corpses lie.

What is the connotative meaning of the phrase ""little souls"" in Stanza 2?
A. It connotes the small physical size of these people
B. It connotes the deep significance of these men.
C. It connotes the youthful naivete of these soldiers.
D. It connotes the minor importance of these individuals.

Answer 1

The connotative meaning of 'little souls' in Stephen Crane's poem 'War is Kind' refers to the youthful naivete and inexperience of the soldiers, implying a vulnerability that exists despite their participation in war. The correct answer is option C.

Step-by-step explanation:

In Stanza 2 of Stephen Crane's poem "War is Kind," the phrase "little souls" connotatively refers to the youthful naivete of these soldiers, option C. This is a non-literal expression that suggests the soldiers' experience and emotional development may not be commensurate with the enormity of war they are facing. The choice of "little" serves to diminish their stature, which in the context of war, could be related to their minimal experience and possible innocence, as opposed to connoting their physical size, significance, or minor importance.