2. Weapon Training (1970) Bruce Dawe – raw recruits, unfamiliar w/ what’s expected, young, nervous
Vietnam war, social resistance (knew about the truth of war, no longer glorified it) anti-war movement (new perspectives after ppl. seeing atrocities thru. media)
Conscription cause outrage amongst younger gen (was in 30s around time) not use to strict discipline & unaware of danger that lies ahead
Degradation
numb emotions, rid ego ‘unsightly fat between elephant ears’, ‘open that drain you call a mind’ harsh tone/insulting, no empathy (objective, detached)
Deliberate offensiveness demand obedience & immediate reaction (‘are you a queer?’ emasculating) by divesting men of individuality (no status, self-importance), respond auto.
Intimidate recruits - pay attention ‘& when I say eyes right I want to hear/those eyeballs click & gentle pitter-patter of falling dandruff’
Debase the Viet Cong ‘Charlies’, ‘mob of little yellows’, ‘rotten fish-sauce breath’ (instil fear/prejudice so show no feelings towards them)
Control
any chance of objection = prevented by non-stop invective, shows control
‘ why are you looking at me’ clear distinction speaker VS listener, earning respect, verbal orders establish antithesis bet. weak & strong
imperious tone ‘I say’ ‘I want’ (barking orders), instil that pays to learn to kill b4 they kill you
enjambment, no punctuation efficiency, set of orders/knowledge for survival, starts mid sentence (as if not paying attention)
dents self-pride ensures greater attention from other troops
Worried urgency - speech reminiscent of gunfire (shooting), blunt & direct (monosyllabic)
quick reactions = save, fumbling/carelessness/panic = cost life ‘too late you nit/ they’re on you & your tripes are round your neck’, ‘Charlies are coming at you…what are you going to do about it…check the magazine’
can’t afford to be pensive (distraction Viet. War = not even-handed, Viet knew the terrain & guerrilla tactics), ‘allright now...