Birdsong and The Penguin Book of First World War Poetry Essay Example
Birdsong and The Penguin Book of First World War Poetry Essay Example

Birdsong and The Penguin Book of First World War Poetry Essay Example

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  • Pages: 8 (2131 words)
  • Published: July 27, 2017
  • Type: Essay
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Throughout their poetry during the First World War, many trench poets conveyed a recurring theme of the soldiers' disconnection from those back home. Furthermore, the soldiers' sentiments gradually diverged from those felt by civilians as initial patriotism waned and harsh realities of war sunk in. Tragic experiences on the front line had a profound effect on soldiers, widening the gap between them and those on the homefront.

The lack of understanding between the soldiers and the homefront is highlighted in Birdsong. The soldiers' experiences were not appreciated by the civilians, as demonstrated by Owen's poem 'Apologia Pro Poemate Meo' which expresses resentment towards both soldiers and non-combatants. However, earlier poems from 1914 showed patriotism and unity between soldiers and civilians. In both Birdsong and The Penguin Book of First World War Poetry, the soldiers depict the homefront as ignorant. Sassoon'

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s poetry shows initial compassion, but a later unforgiving perspective that directly targets this issue.

Jon Silkin's poetry selection sheds a negative light on the homefront, portraying a significant change in the relationship between soldiers and their loved ones. Both parties experience the traumatic events of war differently, warranting a thorough analysis of Silkin's chosen extracts from the novel. These extracts highlight the evolving dynamics between the soldiers and their homefront. The soldiers face incredible horrors on the front lines, while many back home show no concern or awareness of the situation. Although some individuals on the homefront do care, they are ultimately exposed as lacking understanding and interest in the war. The contrasting experiences of soldiers and civilians during war, particularly during the battle of the Somme, further emphasize this divide.

The novel aimed to illustrat

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the significant impact that war had on a generation, particularly the soldiers who experienced trauma, while their loved ones at home struggled to understand the changes they went through. In Jon Silkin's The Penguin Book of First World War Poetry, this is depicted through a more personal lens, which Silkin describes as "excellent." The poems written during the war reveal how soldiers' attitudes and experiences differed from those of their families at home. Soldiers were not simply killed by death; instead, the horror of war caused physical and mental destruction, tearing them apart.

In 'The Soldier' by Rupert Brooke, the soldier's love, patriotism, and loyalty to his country are emphasized as he expresses his devotion to England: "If I die, think only this of me; that there's some corner of a foreign field That is for ever England". This sonnet depicts both the soldier's intense passion for his country and the civilian love for England. It focuses on the patriotic and nationalistic mood prevalent in 1914, just before the war began, when people were united in a deep sense of patriotism. The emphasis isn't on the traumatizing experiences of war but rather on the soldier's commitment to England.

Before 1916, there was a difference in attitudes between people that changed after the start of the war leading to a lack of understanding. Brooke personifies England as a maternal figure by depicting the soldier's eternal love for the country as an extended metaphor. This metaphor represents England giving birth, shaping, and making the soldier aware, meaning that he has detached from his motherland and feels that England has given him all the required qualities to defend it

against attacks. As a result, the soldier plays out his feelings of guilt.

He feels compelled to repay his debt to the country that has given him so much, defending 'mother England' no matter what. Quoting his own poem, Brooke reflects on how soldiers feel a sense of duty to their country, as it has provided for them and they now have something to give back. However, the disconnect between soldiers on the front line and those at home is starkly portrayed in Sassoon's 'Does it Matter', where he questions if the dreams of those suffering in the pits really matter to those comfortably living on the homefront. In contrast, Faulks's writing is beautifully poetic and captures both positive and negative aspects of the war with passion and grace. His fascination with World War One is evident in every word he writes.

In his reflection on the soldier's experiences during war, Faulks underlines the combination of the front line battles and their struggle with claustrophobia. Of particular importance are the tunnel scenes, where the weight of earth bears down on the soldiers and forces them to set aside their panic and focus. Stephen is initially perceived as brooding and lonely by others, but six years later he evolves into a charismatic and enigmatic character. When the narrative reverts to Stephen's point of view, the reader gains insight into how he thinks and communicates. Stephen found it challenging to provide encouragement or inspiration, especially when he lacked belief in the purpose or end of the war.

Faulks explains that the soldier became biased in his views and was unable to motivate or encourage his platoon, ultimately

feeling useless and excluded from the chain of command. Faulks notes that a dispassionate perspective is vital for a passionate intelligence, as demonstrated by the firsthand experiences recounted in war poetry like “Sorley” and conveyed in Birdsong's poignant, mind-altering style. This genre illuminates the confusion, fear, hope, and helplessness experienced by the brave soldiers who sacrificed their lives so that we might be free today. “Sorley” offers a poignant examination of the aftermath of war, as reflected in the haunting imagery of “millions of the mouth less dead” marching through dreams in pale battalions.

The author portrays the brutal reality of war experienced by soldiers through vivid imagery. The soldiers were unable to freely express their thoughts and endured this silence as a form of torture. The author advises against using cliches when talking about war, indicating that it is not necessary to emphasize how much one will remember the experience.

In this passage, 'Sorley' argues against praising the dead. He emphasizes that soldiers, who may have lost their hearing, sight, or even their lives, could not appreciate such sentimentality. Instead, 'Sorley' suggests that it is easy to die. The author challenges 'Brooke's' overly romanticized view of soldiers as comfortable and sacrificial. 'Sorley' contends that this perspective does not apply to all soldiers and exposes 'Brooke's' self-centered obsession with his own sacrifice.

The poem serves as a possible warning about the plight of soldiers who were unable to reveal their suffering during war. Many soldiers were trapped in the horrors of war for years without being able to express themselves, making them essentially "mouth less." These soldiers experienced immense agony that separated them from the

home front. They were left disabled, mutilated, physically and psychologically damaged while those on the home front romanticized about the war, remaining ignorant and blindly patriotic. They were unaware of the torture the soldiers had gone through and therefore were shown as being deaf and blind to the outside world. Faulks highlights this widening gap between soldiers and civilians through Weir's return home.

Weir's visit illustrates the lack of understanding among parents about the horrors of war, as shown by their comment, 'Worse than what?'. This attitude is reflected by the entire country, resulting in conflicting opinions and resentment towards civilians. Despite his efforts to bond with his father when he returns home, Weir cannot find comfort from his experiences, as his father's only response is a 'pat on the back', devoid of any emotional attachment. This lack of support and emotional bonding from the homefront highlights the absence of verbal and physical comfort for loved ones. Weir's resentment towards civilians is evident when he expresses his desire to bomb his street and bring death to those who went on strike. This feeling is heightened by Ellis's remark, 'We are fighting for our country', highlighting Weir's sense of alienation from soldiers and their experiences compared to those at home.

The character portrayed by Weir is a man who feels infuriated, angered, disillusioned and annoyed with those at home for not understanding the struggles of soldiers in the trenches. Despite the expectation that he would be comforted and shown sympathy, Weir is disappointed and remains unchanged. Faulks' work demonstrates how war can strip individuals of their ability to communicate effectively and diminish their prospects for a bright future.

This divide is further exemplified by the perception of returning soldiers as almost spiritual 'passive beings', which causes fear among those at home. These themes are also reflected in 'Letters from a Lost Generation', where the letters are primarily self-contained with feelings only expressed at the end with 'Yours always'.

Comparing the soldiers' letters to their families, it is evident that there is a difference in the level of intimacy. While one soldier's letter expresses affectionate sentiments with the use of endearing terms, another soldier's letter is formal and independent. This disparity may contribute to the soldiers feeling uneasy when communicating with their families.

During the war, women were often mocked by soldiers for not understanding the horror they faced. In his poem "Glory of Women," Sassoon expresses his bitterness toward the homefront with harsh language. He exposes in perfect prose how most women envision soldiers as "brave men in uniform," showing his raw passion. The poem was written while Sassoon was involved in the war to articulate his disgust toward women's lack of understanding about what soldiers faced. Sassoon uses ruthless language and segregates men and women through "You" and "we." The extreme bitter tone is further emphasized with the capital "Y" used in "You." The poem spans fourteen lines and presents Sassoon's biased argument.

The poem's sardonic tone highlights the overwhelming hatred towards women, who are attacked for their lack of comprehension of war. Similar to Silkin's view on women's ignorance, the poem, "Glory of Women," illustrates the resentment towards women who do not participate in killing or being killed. The chaotic structure of the poem is evident in its final three lines, where a German

mother remains lost in a dream while her sons' faces are being dragged through the mud. This showcases how women who fail to grasp the true horrors of war are viewed with contempt.

In 1917, a poem was written revealing the genuine sentiments of soldiers regarding women in the war. This highlights the shift in attitude from the patriotic perspective of 1914 as the war progressed. The relationship with women at home differs throughout the war, and it could be argued that avoiding the reality of war is a possible interpretation. Unlike "Sassoon," Owen's poetry is more empathetic as he employs less harsh images.

The contrast between 'Owen' and 'Sassoon' is evident as 'Sassoon' displays his emotions openly, whereas 'Owen' believes that all a poet can do is warn and convey the pity of war. 'Owen' effectively conveys the soldiers' opinions and emotions, and expresses his anger towards the homefront in 'The Send Off'. The soldiers sang their way down the close darkening lanes towards the siding-shed and lined the train with faces that were both grimly gay. Their breasts were adorned with wreaths and spray, resembling those of dead men.

The theme of a private conscience in a public area is depicted in these lines, illustrating the boundaries of human behavior and the role played by the soldiers during the send off. Faulks' interpretation of the lack of understanding between the two parties is highlighted in both 'Birdsong' and 'Regeneration' through the psychological horrors of war and how it was perceived on the homefront. In 'Birdsong,' Faulks explores this concept when Isabelle meets Stephen after his time on the front line, realizing that he has changed

almost beyond recognition. On the other hand, Owen's poem 'Apologia Pro Poemate Meo' portrays the blind belief in patriotism held by some soldiers despite the misery and utter hopelessness they endured, as he writes "I, too, saw God through mud - the mud that cracked on cheeks when wretches smiled. War brought more glory to their eyes than blood."

The poem reveals the masochistic attitudes of some soldiers on the battlefield who saw war as futile, believing that it brought more glory than blood. In Owen's Mental Cases, the narrator shows the futility of war and the irreparable psychological damage suffered by soldiers through their experiences. The poems illustrate the mixed emotions felt by disillusioned young men who sacrificed their lives for King and Country. Medical attention for wounded soldiers was insufficient, as seen in Elizabeth's visit to the hospital in Birdsong. Rupert Brooke's early war poems were sentimental and patriotic, but failed to capture the harsh realities of war compared to other poets of the time.

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