World War II Poetry: A Sense of Guilt Essay Example

Bible such as "I have suffered in a dream because of him" and "I find no fault in this just man."Both Marianne Moore and Randall Jarrell begin their poems with questions, but while Moore's poem explores biblical allusions and finds hope in her answer, Jarrell's poem fails to reach a conclusive response. Moore's poem takes a deep dive into the cause of war and concludes that in times of conflict, man becomes "a blind man who thinks he sees," consumed by inner hatred that many blindly follow in a display of patriotism.

Jarrell attempts to address his question by persuading himself that the Eighth Air Force is not a pack of killers, not beasts towards men, but rather young dogs "[playing] before they die. " Regarding the image of the soldier on the shore, Moore arrives at the inference that "if these remarkable, enduring deaths can instruct us how to exist, then these deaths were not in vain. " Consequently, her resolution is to "overcome within [herself] what instigates war," animosity, since if animosity can spread, then so too can love and trust spread.

Moore concludes her response by acknowledging her guilt and her failure to promote love instead of hatred. She describes this failure as an "Iscariotlike crime," a clear allusion to the betrayal of Jesus Christ. In contrast, Jarrell, who trains pilots in the Eighth Air Force and teaches them to kill, grapples with his own moral dilemma. He wonders whether his actions are morally wrong. Although he has participated in similar acts of violence, he has survived while others have died. Now, as a trainer, he is obligated to prepare soldiers for war in

the air force.

Jarrell uses biblical allusions to Pontius Pilate to suggest that, like Pilate, he sacrifices innocent men for the sake of appeasing the people. He refers to Pilate once again, highlighting how he finds no fault in himself or his soldiers. However, Jarrell acknowledges that he has already compromised his own credibility by admitting that he has lied in the past and continues to do so. Jarrell is unable to honestly respond to his own question because he wants to believe that he is not morally responsible for the deaths of numerous soldiers.

Both Moore and Jarrell see themselves as betrayers, Marcus Brutus and Cassius. In Shakespeare's play, Julius Caesar, Brutus realizes his wrongdoing, while Cassius tries to shift the blame onto others instead of taking responsibility. The differing attitudes of these characters mirror the attitudes of Moore and Jarrell towards their own betrayals. Both authors explore the role of soldiers in war, but their perspectives differ due to the varying scopes of their work.

Jarrell's poem centers on the Eighth Air Force and his role as their trainer, which greatly influences his viewpoints. He seeks to persuade himself that he is not instructing men to become killers, to prey on other men. Due to the deeply personal nature of his perspective, his poem delves into a personal realm when he addresses his own responsibility, likening himself to the biblical figure Pilate. In contrast, Moore takes a broader view of the war and soldiers. Similarly, she holds herself accountable in responding to her own question, stating, "I am unable to gaze and yet I am compelled to do so."

Despite the fact that these great patient dyings

can teach us how to live, their purpose is not wasted. Unlike Jarrell, who has the responsibility of training soldiers, she has the opportunity to make a difference. Therefore, her specific perspective gives her hope that she can fight within herself to eradicate the root causes of war. By doing so, she aims to eliminate hatred and ultimately put an end to all wars. The conclusion of Moore's poem offers hope for change, while Jarrell's poem seems cyclic and ends on a melancholic note. As a result, the different scopes also contribute to the varying tones in the poems.

Two war poems, namely "In Distrust of Merits" and "Eighth Air Force," delve into the issues inherent in wars and the dehumanizing impact they have on soldiers. Although these poems may initially appear similar, they possess distinct meanings attributed to the unique perspectives of their respective poets.