So you're probably wondering why this title is called "Disregard for Life" right? Well to set the right tone here, I need you to read this satirical poem, "Based Details", which was written by Siegfried Sassoon.
If I were fierce, and bald, and short of breath,
I'd live with scarlet Majors at the Base,
And speed glum heroes up the line to death.
You'd see me with puffy petulant face,
Guzzling and gulping in the best hotel,
Reading the Roll of Honour. 'Poor young chap,'
I'd say - 'I used to know his father well;
Yes, we've lost heavily in this last scrap.'
And when the war is done and youth stone dead,
I'd toddle safely home and die - in bed.
Through Sassoon's use of the literary device, point of view, readers are given the insight of a soldier's negative view on the government. Within the poem, there's this sarcastic and bitter tone that the soldier possesses as he states that "If I were fierce, and bald, and short of breath, I'd live with scarlet Majors at the Base," and immediately you can tell that he is not proud of the government. Through his experience and his fellow companions, the soldier finally realizes that his commanders are really not doing anything on the field where the war is at. All they're doing is staying behind at the base camp or their office while their men go off to fight, to kill the enemy or be killed themselves. The soldier's point of view further explains in the poem how as they die, the men who actually fight to protect their nation, their employers die "in bed."
From beginning to end, the soldier's point of view remains bitter. He uses humor (which makes the poem satirical) to hide the fact that the government is unfair. They put their men and at times women in dire situations, risking their own lives while they do nothing but eat, sleep and bathe in money. It isn't really mentioned in the poem about money, but it can be inferred when you see how these leaders are "gulping in the best hotel."
Through the use of point of view, the speaker's attitude is well received for we are able to determine how the story wants to be noticed, visualized and captured. We're aware of of the specific tone the speaker uses or mood as well, which is of course bitterness and resentful towards the government.
When I first read this poem, my reaction was anything but amused. In all honestly, it disappointed me but didn't surprise me that the people will feel betrayed by their own country. I'm trying to say this without being too rude, but the government really is selfish. To them, we're replaceable. If you look at the inserted picture, you will see the words "NATION OF SHEEP RULED BY WOLVES OWNED BY PIGS." When I found this picture, it perfectly stated the reality of society and how for a fact, we're nothing but minions in a government run by politicians (who don't know what they're doing) and owned by wealthy tycoons.
That's why I find it scary to live in the United States now, because this country is not really democratic anymore. It's so unfair to the poor and it only benefits the rich who claim they're just doing "business." And if we were to do something, say revolt, it would be called violence. Overall, what I'm trying to get across is that our lives are disregarded whether we're soldiers are not. We're just one of 7 billion. In this world, you're only noticed if you're rich and have power.