“Glory of women” by Siegfried Sassoon Essay Sample
“Glory of women” by Siegfried Sassoon Essay Sample

“Glory of women” by Siegfried Sassoon Essay Sample

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  • Pages: 3 (728 words)
  • Published: August 31, 2018
  • Type: Case Study
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Siegfried Sassoon's poem "Glory of women" represents his characteristic style as an English war poet. Through the application of poetic devices, Sassoon effectively conveys his anti-war sentiments by crafting vivid imagery with his words.

Sassoon's poem "Glory of women" belongs to a war time lyric genre. It endeavors to challenge the prevailing idealized notions about war held by the majority and highlight their ignorance, yet at the same time, praises the women's love and commitment on the frontline.

Through his work, Sassoon conveyed the fears and mental state of an individual speaker. His poem starts with an image of war that was idealized and manipulated by the government's propaganda. The first two lines depict the success of false notions about war that were implanted in the minds of women. The poem illustrates the ignorance of women left behind on the h

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omefront, as shown by the use of words such as "you" in the opening lines.

Utilizing the second person pronoun "you" throughout the poem creates a sense of emotional separation between the audience and women. This approach also suggests that women were perceived as ignorant outsiders during times of war, solely reliant on media for information.

Sassoon effectively incorporated a powerful depiction of the war into the structure of his poem "Glory of Women" by utilizing apposition. This approach not only related to women, but also served as an anti-war instrument during that era. The first two lines of the poem clearly exemplify this transformation.

The connection between "love" and "wounded" in the following line alludes to the romanticized ideals of chivalry perpetuated by governmental authorities during war. The statement that the foundation for 'love' stems from

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being 'wounded in a mentionable place' asserts this belief. Once again, the juxtaposition of "love," a profound and sincere internal feeling, with a term like "wounded" highlights this association.

Emphasizing the cruelty of those in power, the idea of suffering brings attention to the only way they can gain love - by sacrificing their own ego. Various examples of opposites, such as "chivalry" and "disgrace" or "pleasure" and "dirt and danger", evoke similar emotions in readers.

Once again, it is emphasized that women were ignorant of the truth about the frontline, yet they strongly supported and acted as critical anchors for the men on war fronts. They used emotional language, such as "love," "believe," and "mourn," and employed the metaphor "crowned our distant ardours while we fight" to express their ignorance. However, more importantly, they demonstrated the emotional rollercoaster of war experienced by women.

Expressing their love and devotion to their loved one on the battlefield demonstrates their support, which aligns with the poem's theme of "the glory of women." However, their lack of knowledge adds a sorrowful element to the initial portion of the poem.

The tone of the poetry changed from melancholy to one filled with force and hatred. This transition was primarily due to the use of imagery. The audience was confronted with the pitiless nature of war as the poem abruptly shifted from idealism about war to a depiction of its worst horrors. The initial rhyme of “hell’s last horror” effectively summarized the extent of the violence in the war.

By using the imagination to envision "trampling the awful corpses," the emotions of horror were intensified and reflected in the phrase "his face

is trodden deeper in the mud." These lines contrast with "o German mother dreaming by the fire," which confronts the audience with the reality of war and challenges the romanticized notions of war held by German women.

Once again, Sassoon demonstrates his belief in the equality of all humans by mentioning not just British women, but also German women. This breaks down the barrier of hatred between the two nations created by war and treats both populations as one. Sassoon's views suggest that he believes all people hold equal status.

Sassoon's disdain for war is evident in his perception of both British and German women as magnificent but subject to government victimization. As a soldier, he seeks to dispel the romanticized ideal of war and his work is a reflection of his beliefs and motivations.

He expressed a desire to reveal the "unspeakable truth" and showed a willingness to change his circumstances. Therefore, his creation "Glory of women" can be viewed as a successful work of art.

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