Ambiguity In The Man He Killed By Thomas Hardy

Hardy and Remarque utilize ambiguity in very different ways to convey a similar idea that war creates unlikely enemies. This idea is supported by the double-meanings of the ambiguous words, which hold two different definitions but still relate to the same topic. Specifically in the last stanza of “The Man He Killed”, Hardy arrives at a thoughtful conclusion about war, writing, “Yes; quaint and curious war is!” (17). The ambiguity in his assertion lies in the word “quaint”, which has a double meaning of both ‘unusual’ and ‘old-fashioned’. Hardy uses the word “quaint” as meaning ‘unusual’ by implying that the soldiers are made to perform actions which regular civilians would not do in their whole life; for example, soldiers are made to kill …show more content…
On the other hand, Remarque uses a different situation to convey the same idea with ambiguity through Paul’s statements about life. To elaborate, Paul ponders the causes of the war while guarding Russian prisoners, noting “I am frightened: I dare think this way no more. This way lies the abyss” (Remarque 194). Since “abyss” means a ‘bottomless pit’, Paul feels that his examination of the war’s intentions will lead him nowhere. Paul, making an effort to think of opposing soldiers as enemies rather than ordinary people, thus represents the idea of unlikely enemies. This is because although he favors treating others as regular people, he ultimately ends up perceiving the opposing soldiers as his mortal enemies. “Abyss” additionally signifies a ‘wide or profound difference’, through which Paul highlights that by maintaining a nonviolent nature, he will become contrastingly unique compared to the opposing soldiers, who already have the mindset of perceiving Paul as an enemy. Therefore, the two meanings of “abyss” ultimately convey the same idea that the soldiers have to perceive the other side’s soldiers as enemies in order to