In the poem "Naming of Parts," author Henry Reed crafts the piece to include words with very apparent and interesting denotation and connotation. The literal meanings of the words used are contrasted by the emotional feeling the word conjures up in the reader's mind. At first the reader is impacted by the repetition of "today we have naming of parts" (1). It is clear that the leader is simply telling his trainees what the activity of the day will be. The tone of the repetitive . In addition, Reed uses the word "firing" (3) not only to describe the action of the soldiers, but also to get an instinctive reaction from the reader. The juxtaposition of the peacefulness of the garden and the guns being shot is apparent, and the word firing increases this contrast; firing relates to fire, heat, and flame and thus creating an uncomfortable feel. Later the branches are described as "silent" and "eloquent" (11). The peacefulness and oneness of the garden again contrasts with the ideas of murder, death, war, and hatred. Perhaps these silent gardens and blossoms represent the fragility of human life lives lost in war, which are now "fragile and motionless" (17). Perhaps what the soldiers "have not got" (12) may actually be a sense of humanity and peace. The poem concludes with the mention of "easing the Spring" (24) which creates thoughts of innocence, purity, and renewal. Easing into existence and beauty can be seen in life, as well. Again, Reed uses juxtaposition between the ideas of war and peace to show exactly how beautiful life is, and how foolish war is to take lives of so many people. The wholeness, as well as holiness, of the garden seems to serve as an unfitting location to learn how to kill others. The specific words that Reed uses gives an emotional side to the poem, making the reader more affected by the message. .
