Birdsong By Sebastian Faulks Essay Example

1978-79 returning finally to 1918 and ending in 1979.

The purpose of this is to contrast the thoughts of our present with the events of the past, strengthening the horrifying and dramatic nature of the story. Comparing our current lives with those in the story enhances our understanding. By starting in pre-war 1910, we gain insight into the mindset of that time and why there was such a strong desire to join the war. There are also comparisons with other literature, such as the Regeneration Trilogy, particularly an extract from Ghost Road, as well as poetry and literature written by contemporaries like Owen, Sassoon, Blunden, and Gurney. An analysis of an extract from Ghost Road can be found on page 76 OCR. It is powerful and distressing, depicting the agony of watching comrades die and the horrifying lack of grace in death. The following is an extract from the Ghost Road: "Prior looked at his watch, licked dry lips, and watched the second hand crawl to the quarter."

The atmosphere was charged with anticipation. It was 5:43 and only two more minutes to go. He crouched down, holding a whistle tightly between his teeth. Suddenly, everything broke loose. Shells flew overhead, accompanied by flashes of light and water shooting up from the drainage ditches. The air was filled with tons of mud and dirt being flung into the air.

A shell landed nearby, causing the ground to shake and sending a cascade of pebbles and earth onto their steel helmets. The atmosphere was filled with mounting tension, briefly interrupted by a moment of calm before being shattered by complete destruction. Chaos, fear, futility, and the enormity of sacrifice

consumed the scene.

• Tension mounting; calm then contrast to complete destruction.
• Chaos
• Fear
• Futility
• Enormity of sacrifice.

Extract

"The second hand of his watch moved in slow motion. It was twenty-nine past. He had the whistle in his mouth and his foot on the ladder."

He gulped and exhaled, then climbed out and observed his surroundings. In that moment, everything fell silent as both the bombardment and the German guns ceased. Skylarks soared and sang in a clear sky. He experienced solitude, as if he had chanced upon a new world at its very inception.

Then the artillery began to lay down the first barrage and the German machine guns resumed. To his left, Stephen witnessed men attempting to leave the trench but being shot down before they could even stand. The gaps in the wire became blocked with bodies. Behind him, the men were advancing. He observed Gray running along the top of the trench, shouting words of encouragement.

• The realization of an inevitable fate - nervousness - lack of choice.
• Anguish, unease, foreboding.
• Sense of being isolated.
• Rebirth, hope, purity, innocence.
• Peaceful atmosphere.
• Relaxed state of mind.
• Appealing sentiment.
• Sensation of happiness, contrasting with the description in paragraph two.
• Disregard for the deceased.
• No

time to grieve.

Comparison of extracts:

'Ghost Road' effectively conveys to readers the horrifying impact of the sudden shift from nervous tension, fear, and anxiety to the eruption of chaos that ensued.

The text discusses the differences between the novels "Ghost Road" and "Birdsong" in their portrayal of the mental effects on soldiers during World War One. "Ghost Road" focuses more on the mental side effects, as evident in the remainder of the novel and the preceding volumes of the trilogy. On the other hand, "Birdsong" creates a stronger sense of fear and anxiety by contrasting peace with chaos and bloodshed. This sequence of events increases the shock-factor for readers and reinforces the bravery of the soldiers, who had to muster the courage to go 'over the top'.

The atmosphere in 'Ghost Road's' is a strong contrast to the anxiety caused by artillery fire. This stark contrast intensifies the gravity of the situation they faced. The transition creates a sense of hope, which ultimately makes the battle even more agonizing to witness. Your mind is compelled to watch it because of the powerful words and the horror that is never shied away from, but rather confronted and impressed upon the reader. There is no doubt left in our minds about the sheer horror of being on the front line. Both extracts depict the daily ordeals of war with excruciating detail, leaving a lasting impression on the reader regarding the futility and lasting horror of the

'Great War' and the anguish it generated.