The 1944 poem “Beach Burial”, was written about Kenneth Slessors experience during World War II in El Alamein, Egypt. Kenneth Slessor was an Australian poet and journalist, who was the correspondent reporting from North Africa. Unlike other poems written about war, “Beach burial” is neither nationalistic nor patriotically written and does not commemorate heroes, as it tells of enemies uniting in death. The poem is a tribute to the masses of soldiers who died in the war. It is set on the Mediterranean shores of El Alamein, as it describes bodies being washed up on the sands. During the poem, Slessor utilizes a passive, melancholy tone. Themes used throughout the poem include death uniting enemies, the compassion of people who find time to bury the dead, and soldiers losing their identity throughout the war. The title of the poem is ironic, as the beach is usually associated with fun and relaxation. Slessor’s use of the beach is the location for death and war. Verse One
Kenneth Slessor uses the first verse of the poem to introduce the theme of death uniting enemies. He effectively does this through the first line “soft/ly and/ hum/bly to/ the/ Gulf/ of/ Arabs”. The line uses iambic pentameter, which creates a rhythmical effect and grabs the readers attention. This creates a calming tone through his use of low sounding words, “softly” and “humbly”, which are examples of tactile imagery. It then contrasts with “The convoys of the dead sailors come”. The creates a heavy, tone, which gives the poem a realistic version of events. “Convoys”, which is usually referenced as a ship, is used to depict the mass of dead soldiers, heading towards the shore line. He then depicts the rhythmical motion of the dead, as“They sway and wander in the waters far under, But the morning rolls in the foam”.
The alliteration of the “W”, the sustained assonance, and use of half-rhymes such as “wander, water”, create a captivating, lulling, effect. This creates a false sense of calmness. Kinesthetic imagrey is used through the words “sway and wander”, which create a to and fro style motion. This style is a repeated motif throughout the poem.The idea that death unites enemies is expressed throughout the first verse, as it uses the word “They”, to describe them going on the same journey, no matter if they were enemies or allies. Verse Two
The second verse introduces the theme of compassionate people finding time to bury the dead. Even though there is a war going on, and many are killed by the “sob and clubbing of the killing of the gunfire”. “Sob” and “clubbing” , are examples of onomatopoeia and have been used to personify the deadly gunfire. Slessor then notes and describes the visual imagery on how someone, who has an anonymous identity, has the time “To pluck them from the shallows and bury them in burrows. His use of long sounding, alliterated words “shallows” and “burrows”, give the poem a passive and melancholy tone. This line also implies there is hardly any time to bury the dead, as there are too many of them. The line “And tread the sand upon their nakedness”, gives an unchanging drone, which is expressed through the word “tread”. This gives an indication they have long been used to burying the dead. “Nakedness”, is used to refer to the vulnerability of humans, as they are exposed to the war. Verse Three
The third verse introduces the idea that the soldiers lose their identity throughout the war. Slessor has implied this during the two previous verses, his use of the word “they”, sound as though their names have already been forgotten. Slessor begins the verse by using visual imagery through words such as “cross”,”stake” and “tide-wood”, which create images of death. The word “cross” has been used has been used as a symbol for suffering, reminiscing to the death of Jesus. “Stake” has then been used to give the scene sharp and dangerous connotations. Though the line “bears the last signature of man, written with such perplexity”. It can be deduced Slessor is implying soldiers losing their identity throughout the war, as the only mark left by man, is difficult to interpret, as it is “written with such perplexity”. Throughout this verse, the letter S has been alliterated, to give the sound a long drone which engages the readers. Verse Four
The fourth verse also alludes to soldiers losing their identity during the war. The use of the line “unknown seaman-the ghostly pencil” ,gives them an anonymous status, which means their names have been lost. However “ghostly pencil” has been used to state, although they have lost their names and their bodies will decay, the memory of their deaths, will be penned and never forgotten. The term “purple drips”, has been used to suggest the anonymous bodies were buried with respect and dignity, as purple is the colour that signifies royalty. Verse Five
The final verse is ironic, as the soldiers, who fought against each other, are now lying on the same shore.The verse refers back to the first theme, where death unites enemies. Slessor has changed from using “seaman” to “seamen” ,which create visual imagery of the mass of dead soldiers, in the line “Dead seamen, gone in search of the same landfall”. Use of the word “gone” changes the story to a past tense setting, which means they have already begun their journey together, to find the same haven. Slessor then explores the idea that no matter of they fought as enemies in life before death, “the sand joins them together, Enlisted on the other front”. The sands joining them together, refers to the bodies being washed up on the shores of El Alamein. The enlisting on “the other front”, is an example of paradox and used as a reference to life after death.
Beach Burial is a poem, recounting Kenneth Slessor’s experience as a war correspondent at El Alamein during World War II. Themes used throughout the poem include- death unites enemies, the compassion of people who bury the dead and soldiers losing their identity during the war. As the poem is non patriotically witten, it is a solemn tribute to all who died during the battle at El Alamein.
