[2] The poem addresses the ordinary British soldier of Kipling's time in a sympathetic manner.
[3] It is written from the point of view of such a soldier, and contrasts the treatment they receive from the general public during peace and during war.
A term of uncertain origin,[a] the name "Thomas Atkins" was used in nineteenth century War Office manuals as a placeholder name to demonstrate how forms should be filled out.
The narrator is a British soldier who describes the poor treatment he receives in Britain (for example, he laments being refused service by a pub owner for being a "redcoat").
[9] Tommy rejects both sides of this duality, saying that he and his fellow soldiers are neither "thin red 'eroes" nor "blackguards", but just ordinary men.