The impact of war on the protagonist nation is depicted via exposure. The poet's emotions are the center of The Bayonet Charge. Exposure is presented as a first-hand account of life in the trenches. It is important to note that William Ernest Henley was not present at the battle itself, but rather he witnessed the aftermath from the safe shelter of his desk job at the Times. Exposure reveals the mental state of its protagonist by focusing on his feelings toward the enemy. The poet hates the French soldiers because they exposed him to danger when he was not looking. However, he also respects them because they faced death with courage. This shows that although he may despise their bravery, he cannot deny it. In addition, exposure depicts the horror of war through imagery. Poems such as "In Flanders Fields" and "The Road Not Taken" explain how war tears families apart and destroys lives while bringing out the best in people. It is also used to show what happens when nations go to war with one another. Finally, exposure highlights the futility of war through comparison. These poems contrast war with other forms of violence and their effects on those involved. For example, "In Memoriam" compares war to death. Both events end lives but only one leads to more deaths later.