As It Should Be

Summary of "As It Should Be" by Derek Mahon

"As It Should Be" by Derek Mahon is a chilling poem that delves into the mindset of an officer from the Irish Free State. The poem begins with the officer recounting how he and his comrades hunted down a man, referred to as a "mad bastard," through various terrains like bogs, moorlands, and rocks until they finally cornered him in a dark, secluded yard. They shot him between ten sleeping lorries and an electricity generator, indicating a setting that is both industrial and isolated.

The officer then dismisses any poetic or romantic notions of the rebel's cause by saying, "Let us hear no idle talk / Of the moon in the Yellow River." He insists that the air is now clearer and life is better since the man's death. This line implies that the officer sees no value in the philosophical or poetic justifications for rebellion.

The poem continues by stating that since the man's "tide burial during school hours," the children have not had any bad dreams. Their cries now echo lightly along the coast, suggesting a return to peace and normalcy in the community. The officer is convinced that their violent actions have created a safer and more orderly society.

The poem concludes with the officer asserting, "This is as it should be." He believes that future generations will thank them for their actions and appreciate the world they have helped to create, a world with "method in it." This final statement reflects his firm belief that the ends justify the means and that their brutal actions were necessary for the greater good.

"As It Should Be" provides a stark look into the mind of a fanatic, highlighting how the officer justifies violence as necessary and righteous. The poem portrays the officer's unshakable conviction that their actions were for the benefit of society, showcasing the dangerous and dehumanizing nature of such radical beliefs. Through simple yet powerful language, Mahon effectively communicates the chilling reality of extremist mindsets.

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Themes Analysis

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Fanaticism and Radicalism:

One of the poem's main themes is the depiction of fanaticism and radicalism. The speaker's unwavering belief in the righteousness of his violent actions highlights the dangers of extreme ideology.

Quote: "Let us hear no idle talk / Of the moon in the Yellow River."

This quote dismisses any philosophical or romantic notions about the rebel's cause, reflecting the speaker's rigid and uncompromising mindset. Throughout the poem, the speaker justifies the murder as necessary and good, indicating a one-dimensional belief system that does not tolerate alternative viewpoints. This theme is significant as it shows how radical beliefs can lead to dehumanization and justify extreme actions.

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Justification of Violence:

The poem explores how violence is rationalized and justified by those who perpetrate it. The speaker sees killing as necessary to maintain order and peace.

Quote: "This is as it should be."

This statement encapsulates the speaker's conviction that the murder was not only justified but essential. The poem critiques the moral and ethical implications of such justifications by presenting violence as a means to achieve a better world. The theme is developed through the speaker's confident and unapologetic tone, highlighting how easily violence can be normalized when seen as a solution to perceived problems.

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Impact on Society:

The poem examines the speaker's perception of violence's positive impact on society. He believes that the elimination of revolutionaries has brought peace and security.

Quote: "Since his tide burial during school hours / Our kiddies have known no bad dreams."

This quote suggests that the speaker believes the community, especially the children, is safer and more peaceful after the killing. The theme is significant as it reveals the speaker's belief in the efficacy of violent actions to create a stable society. However, it also implicitly questions the moral cost of such stability and the lasting impact on societal values.

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Dehumanization:

The theme of dehumanization runs throughout the poem, as the speaker reduces the rebel to a mere target devoid of humanity.

Quote: "We hunted the mad bastard."

By referring to the rebel as a "mad bastard," the speaker strips him of his individuality and humanity, making it easier to justify the act of murder. This dehumanization is a key aspect of the speaker's radicalism and justification of violence. It is significant as it highlights the dangerous consequences of viewing others as less than human, a mindset that can lead to atrocities.

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Imagery Analysis

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Hunting and Killing:

The poem begins with a vivid and provocative image of the manhunt and subsequent killing of the revolutionary.

Quote: "We hunted the mad bastard / Through bog, moorland, rock, to the star-lit west / And gunned him down in a blind yard / Between ten sleeping lorries / And an electricity generator."

This image paints a picture of relentless pursuit through various terrains, culminating in a cold, clinical killing in an industrial setting. The word "hunted" suggests a dehumanizing and predatory action, while the details of the location—"blind yard," "sleeping lorries," and "electricity generator"—convey a sense of isolation and mechanical efficiency. This imagery emphasizes the brutality and dehumanization involved in the act, highlighting the speaker's lack of remorse.

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Peaceful Community:

The poem contrasts the violence of the killing with a serene image of a peaceful community.

Quote: "Since his tide burial during school hours / Our kiddies have known no bad dreams. / Their cries echo lightly along the coast."

This imagery presents a calm and peaceful scene, suggesting that the community, especially the children, has been safer and happier since the man's death. The "tide burial" during school hours indicates an attempt to return to normalcy, while the children's cries echoing "lightly along the coast" convey a sense of tranquillity. This contrast between the violent act and the peaceful outcome reflects the speaker's belief in the necessity and righteousness of the violence while also highlighting the moral complexity and irony.

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Justification of Violence:

The poem concludes with an image that reinforces the speaker's justification of their actions.

Quote: "This is as it should be. / They will thank us for it when they grow up / To a world with method in it."

This image of future generations thanking the current one for their violent actions creates a sense of continuity and legacy. The phrase "a world with method in it" suggests a belief in order and rationality brought about through violent means. This final image encapsulates the speaker's conviction that their actions were for the greater good, underscoring the theme of justified violence and the dangerous mindset that accompanies it.

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Style Analysis

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Irony:

Mahon uses irony to highlight the contradictions and moral dissonance in the speaker's perspective.

Quote: "Since his tide burial during school hours / Our children have known no bad dreams."

The irony here is stark: the violent killing of the revolutionary is portrayed as a means to ensure the children's peaceful sleep. This suggests a deep moral conflict, questioning how violence can truly lead to peace and safety. The ironic tone exposes the flawed logic of the speaker, who believes that brutal actions can result in a harmonious society.

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Enjambment:

The use of enjambment in the poem creates a sense of urgency and continuity, reflecting the relentless pursuit and action.

Quote: "And gunned him down in a blind yard / Between ten sleeping lorries / And an electricity generator."

The enjambment drives the narrative forward, mimicking the breathless pace of the hunt and the inevitability of the killing. This technique enhances the poem's momentum and intensity, drawing readers into the speaker's relentless and unhesitating actions.

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Short, Clipped Lines:

The poem features short, clipped lines to convey the cold, clinical nature of the murder.

Quote: "And gunned him down in a blind yard."

The brevity and abruptness of these lines reflect the efficiency and lack of emotion in the speaker's recounting of the event. This stylistic choice emphasizes the detachment and desensitization of the speaker, highlighting the dehumanizing effects of fanaticism and radicalism.

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Language Analysis

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Colloquial Language:

Mahon employs colloquial language to create a realistic and unvarnished tone, making the speaker's voice more immediate and personal.

Quote: "Let us hear no idle talk."

This straightforward, dismissive language reinforces the speaker's no-nonsense attitude and refusal to entertain any romanticized or philosophical views. The colloquial tone makes the speaker's perspective more relatable and authentic while also emphasizing his narrow-mindedness and rigidity.

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Provocative Language:

The use of provocative language is intended to shock and unsettle the reader, reflecting the speaker's harsh and uncompromising viewpoint.

Quote: "We hunted the mad bastard."

This blunt and aggressive language dehumanizes the rebel, portraying him as less than human and justifying the violence against him. The provocative nature of the language shocks the reader, drawing attention to the brutal reality of the speaker's actions and mindset.

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Authoritative Language:

The poem uses authoritative language to convey the speaker's confidence and certainty in his actions and beliefs.

Quote: "This is as it should be."

This definitive statement reflects the speaker's unwavering conviction that the murder was necessary and justified. The authoritative tone reinforces his belief in the righteousness of his actions, contributing to the poem's exploration of fanaticism and radicalism.

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Summary of Key Elements

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Key Theme:

The justification of violence is through extreme ideology and radical beliefs.

Quote: "This is as it should be."

The speaker believes that their violent actions are necessary and righteous, reflecting a dangerous mindset that legitimizes brutality.

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Key Image:

The hunt and killing of the revolutionary.

Quote: "We hunted the mad bastard...and gunned him down in a blind yard / Between ten sleeping lorries / And an electricity generator."

This image highlights the relentless and dehumanizing pursuit, emphasizing the brutality and cold efficiency of the killing.

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Key Stylistic Device:

Irony is used to highlight the contradictions in the speaker's justification of violence.

Quote: "Since his tide burial during school hours / Our children have known no bad dreams."

The irony lies in the notion that violence has eradicated fear and brought peace, questioning the true morality of such actions.

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Key Language Device:

Provocative language, intended to shock and dehumanize the target.

Quote: "We hunted the mad bastard."

This blunt and aggressive term dehumanizes the revolutionary, making the violence against him seem justified and necessary in the speaker's eyes.

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Key Quotes

1. "We hunted the mad bastard."
2. "And gunned him down in a blind yard / Between ten sleeping lorries / And an electricity generator."
3. "Let us hear no idle talk / Of the moon in the Yellow River."
4. "The air blows softer since his departure."
5. "Since his tide burial during school hours / Our kiddies have known no bad dreams."
6. "This is as it should be."
7. "They will thank us for it when they grow up / To a world with method in it."

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Summary Table

Element	Details	Supporting Quotes
Themes	Justification of Violence: The belief that violent actions are necessary and righteous.	"This is as it should be."
	Fanaticism and Radicalism: The speaker's extreme and uncompromising beliefs.	"Let us hear no idle talk / Of the moon in the Yellow River."
	Dehumanization: Reducing the rebel to less than human to justify the violence against him.	"We hunted the mad bastard."
Images	Hunting and Killing: The relentless pursuit and brutal killing of the revolutionary.	"We hunted the mad bastard...and gunned him down in a blind yard / Between ten sleeping lorries / And an electricity generator."
	Peaceful Community: The perceived peace and safety after the killing.	"Since his tide burial during school hours / Our kiddies have known no bad dreams."
Stylistic Devices	Irony: Highlighting the contradictions in the speaker's justification of violence.	"Since his tide burial during school hours / Our children have known no bad dreams."
	Enjambment: Creating a sense of urgency and continuity.	"And gunned him down in a blind yard / Between ten sleeping lorries / And an electricity generator."
	Short, Clipped Lines: Reflecting the cold, clinical nature of the act.	"And gunned him down in a blind yard."
Language Devices	Colloquial Language: Adding a realistic and unfiltered tone.	"Let us hear no idle talk."
	Provocative Language: Shocking and dehumanizing the target.	"We hunted the mad bastard."