The poet uses several dark images of sin and destruction to demonstrate their view of the world’s loss of purity. The poet also uses strong irony, as the narrator preaches of purity, but displays contempt for others and sheer excessive pride for their own purity. The narrator proclaims, “I am too pure for you or for anyone.” These thoughts go alongside the references to radiation poisoning of leopards and the nuclear bombing of Hiroshima. These are not often viewed as a sin by the main world, and the poet downplays their significance in relation to others, like adultery. The narrator believes that simple sin “hurts God” while other major travesties are referred to in passing. This apparently religious poem seems to be mocking the apparently arbitrary rules of religion, by questioning their views on purity.

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