Disabled and Dulce et Decorum est’ Essay Example

the military.

During war, propaganda is often presented in a patriotic and rhythmic manner, which contrasts with the bitter and sarcastic tone found in "Disabled" and "Dulce et Decorum est." The author of these poems expresses disbelief that someone like Jessie Pope, who encouraged war from afar, could grasp the harsh reality of it. He satirically refers to her as his "friend," attacking her sentimental support for war despite having no experience with it. Essentially, she will never be a spectator to this deadly "game." Meanwhile, "Disabled" focuses on the physical and mental toll that war takes on soldiers in its aftermath.

Set in a hospital, the poem depicts fellow war casualties receiving medical attention. The opening stanza features a legless veteran observing children frolicking outdoors; words such as "pleasures" and "mothered" evoke acrid and despondent emotions from the patient. This verse portrays how war has adversely affected patients who are now physically limited. Subsequently, the soldier reflects on his idealistic notions of warfare and what he believed it would offer him. Compared to the initial dreariness of the poem's tone, this section conveys more vibrancy.

Within this section, the poet employs a plethora of figurative language to illustrate the ex-soldier's misconceptions of reality. An exemplar of this is when the soldier recounts how a man was 'smiling' upon signing, despite being underage. Such an occurrence incites disgust towards the fact that the individual responsible for providing the soldier with the form was cognizant of his underage status. Equally repulsive, however, is their blatant disregard for their own physical wellbeing - as evinced by 'throwing' away their legs. The thematic essence of the poem is multifaceted. Initially, it

presents a relatively monochromatic depiction of life within the hospital.

'The poem begins with a ghastly grey tone but later becomes more vibrant as the veteran soldier recalls his memories of life, including football and girls. However, it ends with a return to the monochrome theme and a reflection on the current and future state of his life. Both poems effectively depict the experiences and emotions of soldiers during the war.'

Although I am unlikely to endure the same hardships as the soldiers of World War 1, both poems provide a vivid portrayal of their experiences.