Anthem for Doomed Youth and Reservist Essay Example

continues with another rhetorical question: “What candles may be held to speed them all?” This deliberate choice, along with the structure of the sonnet, emphasizes the foolishness of the war. Owen also employs literary devices and comparisons to convey the impact of this war. By personifying the guns as possessing “monstrous anger,” he portrays them as evil, responsible for countless human deaths. Additionally, the phrase “stuttering riffles’ rapid rattle” suggests that instead of prayers, the soldiers received a barrage of bullets.

The sound of "stuttering" and the rapid rattle of the "riffle" create an image of unclear sounds in the environment. This implies that the sounds were not easily discernible. The choice of the word "shrill" suggests that their funeral was not a peaceful one. Additionally, the onomatopoeic use of "wailing" evokes a strong sense of extreme sadness. Owen emphasizes once again that the senselessness of war has led to the unnecessary deaths of innocent men. The contrast between the wailing and traditional peaceful choirs further underscores the futility of the war.

Owen compares the customary pale cloth draped over the coffin in a funeral to the paleness and sickness of the victims’ family back home, presumably women. This comparison suggests the reality of the sorrowful emotions the relatives have experienced due to the terrible effect of this tragedy. Additionally, Owen describes "each slow dusk a drawing-down of blinds" to symbolize the shutting of blinds in the house when a person has passed away, akin to the closing of eyelids when someone is dying. The deliberate use of alliteration serves to bring the poem to a close.

The continuing war sounds after the deaths demonstrate a

lack of remembrance for the soldiers, yet the fighting persists. In "Reservist," Boey Kim Cheng expresses his thoughts on the pointlessness of war through an extended metaphor of the medieval era. Cheng employs this extended metaphor, utilizing words such as "clarion," "lordship," "cavalier," and "joust," to draw a parallel between the futility of war and the battles in medieval times. Moreover, the court martial language mirrors the idea of the Singaporean government implementing a military training scheme to instill discipline and control in young men as they learn to protect their country.

The poem emphasizes that the king's command to go to war is mandatory for all young men and offers no other option. It effectively conveys the tiresome and pointless nature of the Singaporean government's military preparation through the use of metaphors, similes, and repetition. The choice of words also plays a significant role in illustrating this concept. In 'Reservist', there is a notable abundance of lengthy sentences punctuated by commas and enjambment. As a result, a sense of repetition and an unending cycle is established.

The annual joust is a recurring event that all reservists must attend. The use of the words "annual" and "again" indicates that this is a regular occurrence. Additionally, references to age such as "creaking bones and suppressed grunts" suggest that some reservists are elderly, while the phrase "battle-weary knights" implies physical exhaustion. The government's practice of compelling civilians to become reservists is illustrated through the phrase "ransack the wardrobes," indicating that soldiers do not typically wear armor as part of their daily attire.

The simile compares the reservists to "children placed on carousels," implying that the government expects strict obedience from

civilians. Cheng's portrayal suggests a continuous and uncontrollable motion, similar to a child's carnival ride. "We will play the game till the monotony sends his lordship to sleep" uses metaphor to convey the idea that the men will persistently follow the government's orders until they are no longer required.

In this passage, the speaker expresses the desire to continue fighting and become "unlikely heroes." Additionally, Cheng depicts the repetitiveness of war by mentioning how they will repeatedly climb hills and traverse forests. This symbolizes how civilians undergo the same training routine every year. The phrase "rusty armour" suggests that the armor has been used countless times, implying that people have consistently participated in the repetitive nature of war.

The men will continue to be reservists until they find new happiness, similar to Cheng's personally experienced overseas voyage. Both poets express their approach to the destructive impact of war. Owen emphasizes that war is idiotic and the young men who served are foolish as they overlook the importance of their lives, preferring to die in vain.

Despite the futility of war, the Western Front casualties in World War One were not given proper recognition, and even in death, destruction prevailed. Cheng's poem 'Reservist' reflects his perspective on the meaningless and repetitive nature of war, which continues to resonate in contemporary society. According to nytimes.com, President Obama has acknowledged the pointlessness of modern wars like those in Afghanistan and Iraq, where the costs far outweigh the benefits. Thus, both poets have conveyed a timeless belief in the nonsensical nature of war.