Genre
A play
Setting and Context
The events of the story take place in Iraq in 2003.
Narrator and Point of View
It is possible to assume that there is an omniscient narrator who describes the surrounding and the characters’ emotions and feelings. Since it is a play and every character speaks for himself/herself, it is first-person narration.
Tone and Mood
Tone is contemplative or anxious, and sometimes aggressive. Mood is ominous.
Protagonist and Antagonist
Stewart, Ursula, Geordie, Dangermouse, and Malek are the protagonists of the story. Freddie is the antagonist. However, it should be mentioned that Freddie symbolizes the destructive effect of a war on a person.
Major Conflict
The major conflict is person vs. self. For instance, Ursula has to choose between her love for telling the truth and compassion. She has been always telling the truth, but she lies to Stewart’s wife to save her from even more suffering.
Climax
The moment when Stewart realizes that they are trapped is the climax of the story. He tries to save Geordie, for the young soldier doesn’t use the chance.
Foreshadowing
“We go to liberate not to conquer.”—Tim Collins
The play starts with Tim Collins’ quote, and thus it becomes clear what it is about.
Understatement
“An Iraqi with 400$ is not a story.” This phrase shows what little significance a human life has.
Allusions
The play alludes to the fall of Babylon.
Imagery
Images of war are presented in the text.
Paradox
“Wipe them out if that is what they choose.”
The paradox is that it has been said that the British Army goes to the war to liberate not to conquer, but then they suggest wiping them out if they put up a fight.
Parallelism
“Bang-bang, you’re dead, fifty bullets in your head.”
Metonymy and Synecdoche
“Keep an eye on him.” (An eye is metonymy that means attention.)
“We are out here in the middle of nowhere risking our necks for a lie.” (Necks are synecdoche that means lives.)
Personification
N/A
