The Guns by Frederic Manning (1932)
The Guns is a novel by Frederic Manning that follows the experiences of an Australian soldier during World War I. The book is known for its realistic and graphic depictions of warfare, including descriptions of trench life, shelling, and combat. It has been praised for its portrayal of the psychological effects of war on soldiers.
By Frederic Manning · First published 1932 · Genre: War, Poetry, Psychological · 181 words
First lines
Menace, hidden, but pulsing in the air of night: Then a throbbing thunder, split and seared With the scarlet flashes of innumerable shells, And against it, suddenly, a shell, closer; A purr that changes to a whine Like a beast of prey that has missed its kill, And again, closer.
But even in the thunder of the guns There is a silence: and the soul groweth still.
Yea, it is cloaked in stillness: And it is not fear.
But the torn and screaming air Trembles under the onset of warring angels With terrible and beautiful faces; And the soul is stilled, knowing these awful shapes, That burden the night with oppression, To be but the creatures of its own lusts.
What this Textopian page supports
The Guns is listed on Textopian as an essay by Frederic Manning, dated 1932 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Essay
- Author: Frederic Manning
- Date: 1932 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: War, Poetry, Psychological, Philosophical
- Length: 181 words
- Structure: 1 section, 4 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for The Guns by Frederic Manning
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
- Readability and classroom-planning context
- Passage-specific claims should cite the exact /read/ URL for the relevant chapter or paragraph
Discussion starters
- What should a reader notice first when entering The Guns?
- How does this essay by Frederic Manning fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does War first become important in the reading?
Similar titles
- The Trenches by Frederic Manning
- Transport by Frederic Manning
- Reaction by Frederic Manning
- Bois De Mametz by Frederic Manning
- The Old Calvary by Frederic Manning
- A Shell by Frederic Manning
Genres
- War — The text vividly describes the atmosphere and sounds of a battlefield, emphasizing the presence of guns and shells, which are central to war narratives.
- Poetry — The writing style is highly poetic, with a focus on imagery, rhythm, and metaphor, as seen in the description of the night and the personification of sounds.
- Psychological — The passage explores the inner state of the soul amidst chaos, reflecting on fear and the psychological impact of war.
- Philosophical — The text delves into existential themes, contemplating the nature of fear and the soul's response to external turmoil.
Tags
war · World War I · soldiers · trench warfare · combat · brotherhood · camaraderie · survival · loss · sacrifice · grief · humanity