The death of the ball turret gunner

Randall Jarrell

Fiction | Poem | Adult

Book Brief

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Randall Jarrell

The death of the ball turret gunner

Fiction | Poem | Adult

Book Details

Format

Poem • Fiction

Setting

World War II

Audience

Adult

Super Short Summary

"The Death of the Ball Turret Gunner" by Randall Jarrell is a poem that illustrates the grim experience of a ball turret gunner during World War II. The poem describes the harsh and vulnerable conditions faced by the gunner inside the small, spherical turret of a bomber aircraft, highlighting themes of war and mortality.

Dark

Unnerving

Melancholic

Mysterious

Reviews & Readership

3.9

11 ratings

64%

Loved it

18%

Mixed feelings

18%

Not a fan

Review Roundup

The Death of the Ball Turret Gunner by Randall Jarrell is widely praised for its powerful brevity and emotive imagery, capturing the horrors of war and the fragility of life. Critics commend its stark and haunting language, though some find its grim subject matter unsettling. Overall, Jarrell's work leaves an indelible impact, resonating with readers through its poignant depiction of wartime sacrifice.

Who Should Read The death of the ball turret gunner?

A reader drawn to the somber intensity of war poetry and interested in the human cost of conflict would appreciate Randall Jarrell's "The Death of the Ball Turret Gunner." Fans of Wilfred Owen's "Dulce et Decorum Est" or Erich Maria Remarque's All Quiet on the Western Front would find its vivid imagery and emotional depth compelling.

3.9