We Lived Happily during the War

By Ilya Kaminsky (b. 1977)

Context

• Ilya Kaminsky was born into a Jewish family in Odesa, in the former USSR, and his family was granted political asylum in the USA in 1993 due to persecution. He lost most of his hearing at age four because of a medical misdiagnosis, which greatly influenced his life and work. Kaminsky's collection Deaf Republic imagines a world where people choose to be deaf as a form of political protest. "We Lived Happily during the War" is the opening poem in this collection and focuses on the moral consequences of doing nothing during times of conflict. Kaminsky uses his personal experiences to challenge readers to think about the cost of ignoring global conflicts while living in comfort. His work highlights themes of guilt, complicity, and the human impact of indifference, making the poem a powerful commentary on modern society.

The Poem

We Lived Happily during the War

And when they bombed other people's houses,

we protested

← Repetition

but not enough,

we opposed them but not

enough. I was

in my bed, around my bed America

← Enjambement

was falling: invisible house by invisible house by invisible house—

← Repetition

I took a chair outside and watched the sun.

In the sixth month

of a disastrous reign in the house of money

in the street of money in the city of money

in the country of money,

← Repetition and sarcasm

our great country of money,

we (forgive us)

← Brackets

lived happily during the war.

5 Quotes + Analysis to Achieve a Grade 9

1. Language device = Repetition. "we protested but not enough / we opposed them but not enough" Analysis: The repetition of "but not enough" highlights the speaker's awareness of their own inadequacy and guilt. It suggests that, although there was some protest, it lacked the necessary force to bring about real change, as meaningful action is essential for justice. The short, fragmented structure of the line slows the reader down, forcing them to reflect on the consequences of inaction and the moral implications, particularly during times of war

2. Language device = Enjambement. "around my bed America / was falling" Analysis: The enjambment between "America" and "was falling" creates a sense of suspense and unease, reflecting the instability of the situation. The delayed revelation of "was falling" mirrors the gradual realisation of the nation's decline and the image of America "falling" around the speaker's bed suggests that while the nation crumbles, the speaker remains physically safe yet morally compromised. The use of "bed" as a symbol of comfort contrasts with the chaos outside, highlighting the disconnect between personal safety and the national crisis.

3. Language device = Repetition. "invisible house by invisible house" Analysis: The repetition of "invisible house" emphasises the unseen or ignored destruction caused by the war. By describing the houses as "invisible," Kaminsky suggests that the suffering of others is often overlooked or dismissed by those who are not directly affected. This powerful image critiques the tendency to turn a blind eye to the horrors of war, especially when they occur far from one's own home. The description of "invisible houses" creates a powerful image of the hidden, dismissed or unnoticed suffering of others.

4. Language device = Repitition and sarcasm. "in the country of money, / our great country of money" Analysis: The repetition of "money" in these lines highlights the materialism and greed that drive the inaction of the speaker and their society. The use of "great country" in a sarcastic tone suggests that the nation's wealth and power have come at the expense of its morality. This line critiques the prioritisation of economic prosperity over human lives, questioning the true cost of wealth.

5. Language device = Brackets. "we (forgive us) / lived happily during the war" Analysis: The brackets around "(forgive us)" introduce a tone of confession and guilt, interrupting the otherwise simple statement. This suggests that the speaker is aware of the moral conflict in living comfortably while others suffer, acknowledging their own complicity. This alters the meaning of the statement "We lived happily during the war." and forces the reader to reconsider the speaker's earlier claim. This line captures the poem's central theme of remorse and the moral cost of ignoring suffering while continuing to live comfortably.

Form & Structure Points to Mention for Top Grades

• Enjambment:
  • The poem's use of enjambment, especially in the line "America / was falling," creates a sense of continuity and inevitable decline. This technique mirrors the gradual yet unstoppable nature of societal collapse and moral decay.
• Repetition:
  • The poem features significant repetition which emphasises key themes, such as guilt, inaction, and the dominance of materialism in society, reinforcing the poem's critique of complacency.
• Brackets:
  • The use of parenthesis in "(forgive us)" serves to interrupt the flow of the poem, introducing a personal plea for forgiveness that contrasts with the otherwise detached tone. This device highlights the speaker's inner conflict and the collective guilt of those who lived comfortably during times of war.
• Short Lines:
  • The poem's short lines and fragmented structure slow the reader's pace, encouraging reflection on the moral implications of the speaker's words. This structure mirrors the disjointed nature of the speaker's thoughts, as they grapple with their own complicity.

Example Paragraph for a Grade 9 Answer:

In "We Lived Happily during the War," Kaminsky explores the theme of guilt through the speaker's reflection on their inaction during a time of conflict. The repetition of "but not enough" emphasises the speaker's awareness of their own moral shortcomings, suggesting that simply protesting is not sufficient when greater action is needed. The line "we (forgive us) / lived happily during the war" introduces a tone of remorse, as the speaker asks for forgiveness for their complicity in the face of others' suffering. Kaminsky's use of enjambment in "America / was falling" adds to the sense of inevitable decline, mirroring the speaker's gradual realisation of their own guilt. This contrasts with…