Channel Firing MCQs and Summary

By: Prof. Dr. Fazal Rehman | Last updated: June 10, 2025

Summary:

Thomas Hardy’s Channel Firing is a somber and ironic poem that reflects on the futility of war. Written in 1914, just before World War I, the poem presents a conversation between the dead in their graves and God. The loud sound of naval gunfire wakes the dead, making them think Judgment Day has arrived. However, God reassures them that it is not the end of the world—only humans preparing for another war. The poem critiques the endless cycle of conflict and mankind’s failure to learn from history. Hardy’s tone is darkly humorous, with God appearing weary of human violence, emphasizing the senseless destruction caused by war.
Channel Firing
Channel Firing
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1. : Who wrote Channel Firing?





2. : When was Channel Firing written?





3. : What wakes the dead in the poem?





4. : What do the dead initially believe is happening?





5. : Who speaks to the dead in the poem?





6. : What does God tell the dead?





7. : What is the main theme of Channel Firing?





8. : What is ironic about God’s words in the poem?





9. : How does Hardy portray war in the poem?





10. : What tone does Hardy use in the poem?





11. : Which literary device is used in the line “Till God called, ‘No; it’s gunnery practice out at sea’”?





12. : What historical event does the poem anticipate?





13. : What does Hardy suggest about human nature in the poem?





14. : Why do the dead return to their graves at the end of the poem?





15. : Which literary technique does Hardy use frequently in the poem?





 
Question Answer
Poem Name Channel Firing
Poet Thomas Hardy
Year Published 1914
Poem Type Satirical war poem
Verse Form Quatrains with regular rhyme
Main Subject The senseless repetition of war
Themes War, Death, Irony, Futility of Human Conflict
Tone Dark, Ironic, Pessimistic
Poetic Devices Used Irony, Satire, Personification
Symbolism The “firing” symbolizes war’s endless destruction
Historical Context Written just before World War I, reflecting fears of war
Main Message War is an endless human failure, and history repeats itself.

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