The Instructor
The Instructor - meaning Summary
Smallness Before Authority
A soldier-speaker recalls a domineering, unofficial figure who loomed over his comrades and reduced them to fear and self-preservation. Using ironic nicknames, the narrator remembers how this man made officers "feel small," steered men away from action, and seemed to judge life and death. The poem mixes weary humor and resentment to portray how informal authority can shape behavior and memory within a military setting.
Read Complete AnalysesAt times when under cover I 'ave said, To keep my spirits up an' raise a laugh, 'Earin 'im pass so busy over-'ead-- Old Nickel-Neck, 'oo is n't on the Staff -- "There's one above is greater than us all" Before 'im I 'ave seen my Colonel fall, An 'watched 'im write my Captain's epitaph, So that a long way off it could be read-- He 'as the knack o' makin' men feel small-- Old Whistle Tip, 'oo is n't on the Staff. There is no sense in fleein'' (I 'ave fled), Better go on an' do the belly-crawl, An' 'ope' 'e '1l it some other man instead Of you 'e seems to 'unt so speshual-- Fitzy van Spitz, 'oo is n't on the Staff. An' thus in mem'ry's cinematograph, Now that the show is over, I recall The peevish voice an' 'oary mushroom 'ead Of 'im we owned was greater than us all, 'Oo give instruction to the quick an' the dead-- The Shudderin'' Beggar--not upon the Staff!
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