Final answer:
The speaker's ironic and sardonic tone in lines 16-17 of "The Song of the Mud" is created through the use of fashion terminology to describe the dire conditions of soldiers in war, highlighting the absurdity and grim humor in the contrast between the glamour of fashion and the grimness of war.
Step-by-step explanation:
In lines 16-17 of "The Song of the Mud," the description of soldiers setting "a new style in clothing" and introducing "the chic of mud" conveys an ironic and sardonic tone. The speaker is using fashion terminology to highlight the contrast between the luxurious connotations of fashion and the grim reality of being covered in mud in the trenches of war. This choice of diction not only points to the absurdity of war but also brings a darkly humorous critique to how war transforms soldiers, making the horrid conditions of the battlefield into a macabre trend of necessity. Additionally, the term 'chic' suggests a fleeting popularity, which ironically comments on the temporary nature of the soldier's glory juxtaposed with the enduring trauma they may experience.
The writer's word choice highlights the grim humor and creates a tone that juxtaposes the typical upbeat associations of fashionable dressing with the bleak realities of war. This dark humor serves to critique the situation and the societal views on war, making a poignant statement about the disconnect between the romanticization of war and the actual experience of soldiers. The speaker's tone is complex, blending criticism with a kind of defiance against the dehumanizing conditions of warfare.