Extract of Strange Meeting pg18

In this extract, Hill uses imagery to present the effects of the war on Hilliard. From him not noticing the rocks 'were damp, from the seaweed trailing over them' shows how the effect of war minimalizes everyday problems into nothing at all, he's used to the horrific conditions of war so here he has nothing to complain about. The 'seaweed' could be a metaphor for the government trailing over the 'small cluster of rocks', symbolising the men in the trenches. It could also show the government dehumanising the men from this, by being 'damp' shows the cold-hearted feelings and decisions the government has towards them. Hill also uses imagery to show the conditions of war. As they 'rose like shadows, scarcely able to see one another at ten yards distance, through a thick mist'. The simile of 'rose like shadows' presents the men lifeless and dull, like a 'shadow'. It could also present the physical body being disconnected from the mental state, from the word 'rose', meaning their minds leaving their body like a 'shadow' because their body is feeling fatigue but their mind stays alert and always one step in front. The ghastly conditions are presented as being hardly 'able to see one another at ten yards distance' gives the feeling of being close to someone but yet feeling isolated, unable to connect with them, in this case caused by a barrier of 'thick mist'. Like how the 'mist' could be symbolising war and how it is a barrier to friendship. Lastly, Hill also presents the comfort of childhood to Hilliard, 'all the admonitions of childhood came back to him' as Hilliard remembers his childhood, he could feel a sense of safety and comfort. However, Hill could also be using this as a symbol of Hilliard feeling belittled by the government, as from war he is remembering the 'admonitions of childhood'. It is reminding him of what he was told to do when he was younger as what he has to do now.