An examination of how Wilfred Owen and Carol Ann Duffy convey the suffering of Wa Essay Example

to the realization that comprehending the message of human ignorance and neglect requires feeling isolated. The poem consists of four stanzas with varying lengths, reflecting Owen's changing mood as his emotions and circumstances shift. The first stanza uses a slow pace, with soldiers trudging through sludge, illustrated by the length of the sentence which matches the trudging pace. In contrast, the second stanza has shorter sentences with more expressive punctuation, such as exclamation marks and a dash, to convey the pandemonium of a gas attack. In War Photographer, on the other hand, each stanza has a consistent structure and length that mirrors the photographer's environment and emotions. The photographer tries to remain in control of their pain and anger.

The photographer's experience is both containing and restricting, as he must remain objective while capturing images. In Owen's poem, sensory language immerses the reader in the horrors of war with onomatopoeic words and descriptions of taste and smell. Duffy's poem is more implicit, using symbolic language to allow for multiple interpretations. While she does highlight certain senses, the quietude of the darkroom is compared to a priest preparing to perform a mass.

Both Owen and Duffy employ vivid and unsettling imagery in their poems. Owen reinforces his imagery through similes and metaphors, such as comparing the soldiers to "old beggars under sacks" and "coughing like hags". This highlights the physical and mental deterioration of the soldiers from healthy young men to elderly individuals struggling to function. In contrast, Duffy depicts the horror of war with images of "blood stained into foreign dust", while demonstrating the lesser suffering in "Rural England" which can be alleviated

by simple weather changes. Additionally, she elicits empathy for children at risk of running through mine fields, evoking protective instincts and a sense of guilt for the mistreatment of the innocent.

Despite the momentary 'prick' of conscience suggested by Carol Ann Duffy in her poem, the honesty of her images makes them impossible for readers to ignore and hit a raw nerve. In contrast, Wilfred Owen's use of irony in his title 'Dulce et Decorum est pro patria mori' emphasizes the horrors of war and the lasting effects on those who survive. His poem reveals how young men were destroyed, with surviving soldiers left with 'incurable sores on innocent tongues' due to the memories of their traumatic experiences. In contrast, Duffy's poem 'War Photographer' explores the motivations behind someone who continues to visit dangerous locations to capture photographs that have little impact on the rest of society.

The poem has an ambiguous ending, leaving the reader uncertain whether the war photographer is embarking on a new assignment or reflecting on a completed one. This creates a circular effect, a closed ring suggesting that nothing changes. Wars persist in foreign lands while life goes on as usual in England. Thus, the conclusion could easily mark the start of this ongoing cycle. Both poems convey potent anti-war messages that expose the dreadful suffering endured by those caught up in conflicts. Owen concentrates on the brutal and unfair nature of war and how it devastated young soldiers who were killed or maimed by it.

In his poem, the speaker directs his anger towards the people in England who romanticize war and encourage children to become a part of

it. Meanwhile, Duffy's poem delves into the broader social implications of war, including the suffering of wives and innocent children forced to live in dangerous environments. The contrasting attitudes towards war are highlighted through the atrocities depicted in Duffy's poem and the indifference of those in "Rural England" who carry on with their daily routines. Despite their stylistic and content differences, both poems convey the message that ignorance and misunderstanding arise from the remoteness of war while innocent adults and children suffer. Although both poems are impactful, the speaker finds Dulce Et Decorum Est more disturbing since it is based on real-life experiences and highlights the dangers of modern weapons and propaganda.

I found the poem War Photographer to be relatable as it portrays the current attitude of people towards war - ignore it if it's not visible. Carol Ann Duffy's analysis is likely correct as I felt sympathetic towards those affected by remote wars, but like the poem's subjects, I will carry on with my life without dwelling on it.