Climax (cli’-max): Generally, the arrangement of words, phrases, or clauses in an order of increasing importance, often in parallel structure.
I tried my best to do my duty for God and Country.
I went to Church every Sunday, sang hymns, took Holy Communion, prayed for my mom, dad, sister, and our Collie, Nick. I believed in Jesus. I thought I was saved.
I joined the Army when I was nineteen, at the height of the Vietnam War. I was stationed in Huế. I was there for the Tet Offensive. It was kill or be killed. I had to use my bayonet. I was horrified. I was wounded in the leg.
After the war I lost my faith in God, and resented my Country. My leg healed, but my soul was forever wounded. I never thought I’d lose my faith. I didn’t think I’d ever kill another human being. But, doing my duty has done me in: crushed my resolve, made me into a ghost, and broken my heart.
There is no answer to my prayers. There is no thrill at the sight of the high flying flag. There is only mourning for the man I used to be.
Definition courtesy of “Silva Rhetoricae” (www.rhetoric.byu.edu)
The Daily Trope is available on Amazon in paperback under the title of The Book of Tropes for $9.95. It is also available in Kindle format for $5.99.
The Daily Trope 