Referring to First World War Poetry, Explain Who was the real enemy Essay Example

line "And toward our distant rest begun to trudge" represents a feeling of relief, but also acknowledges the uncertainty of their fate. The next stanza deals with the use of gas, which is the most upsetting part of the poem.

According to Wilfred Owen, it is likely that the soldiers' loved ones at home knew about the effects of gas on the human body. In a stanza of his poem, someone can be heard shouting "Gas!" The soldiers expressed their concern as they were aware that they could die from this attack. Tragically, one soldier did die as a result of the gas. Owen vividly describes every action taken by the victim, which was a truly horrifying experience.

Amidst the chaos, someone was heard screaming and stumbling, as if they were burning or drowning under a murky and thick light. There is a possibility that those who are waiting back home or the officers may think that the victim of this gas attack could have been someone they know and that they were the ones who sent them to war. Wilfred Owen shared in the next stanza that he regularly dreams of the soldier, choking, and struggling before his eyes, a sight that makes him feel helpless. It is heartbreaking to know that Wilfred had to witness such a tragic event without being able to intervene. Those who have pushed for war might feel more remorseful once they hear of the extent of suffering their fellow soldiers have endured.

"But someone still was yelling out and stumblingAnd floundering like a man in fire or lime". In the final lines of the poem, Wilfred Owen discloses that

the poem is dedicated to those who supported him and his fellow soldiers. In fact, Owen addresses these individuals in the poem and utilizes sarcasm to convey his anger toward them. He deliberately states, "My friend, you would not tell with such high zestTo children ardent for some desperate glory" to make his point.

Wilfred Owens emphasizes that they were responsible for sending soldiers to war. He urges them to spare the young and innocent from experiencing the horrors he did. Owens regards those who compelled soldiers to fight as the true foes. "Base details" is a poem where a soldier laments the luxurious lifestyles of officers while they themselves suffer and perish.

Sassoon conveys the notion that the lifestyle of civilians is comparable to heaven when contrasted with the realities faced by soldiers during the war. Alongside this, the poem is infused with a palpable passion, highlighting the poet's loathing towards the Majors. Sassoon attempts to convey the perspective of officers themselves, simultaneously speaking as if he were among them. One particular line reads: "And speed glum heroes up the line to death". This serves to suggest that the Majors were well aware that the soldiers positioned on the front line were destined to die in battle; however, they themselves had little intention of putting their own lives at risk by avoiding the front line entirely.

The fifth line describes the officers as "Guzzling and gulping in the best hotel", conveying their apparent jubilation and disregard for the ongoing war. The use of alliteration reinforces this sense of distaste for their enjoyment, and Sassoon's choice of unflattering language casts them in a negative light, almost

like criminals.

The vocabulary used effectively portrays clear mental images. It is noteworthy that the hotel officers were seen having a great time while soldiers lost their lives in the war. The line "Reading the role of honour" implies that officers read it from a script. Thus, their possession of a Role of Honour is indicative of their empathy towards fallen soldiers.

In his imagined conversation, Sassoon characterizes snobbish officers who feign awareness and sympathy for the tragic events of the war. Despite their pretense, they are more concerned for their own safety than for the lives lost. Sassoon implies that the officers are aware that many soldiers will not survive the war, yet they show no remorse as they will return home to live out their lives guilt-free. Rather than assume their responsibilities in the war effort, these officers avoid danger and allow others to die.

Sassoon expresses his anger towards the officers who relaxed during the World War as his real enemies. He uses sarcasm in his poetry, including "Does it matter?", a poem similar to Base details. In this poem, he downplays the significance of losing one's legs with the phrase, "Does it matter? - losing your legs?" despite it being an irreplaceable loss.

Sassoon acknowledges that "For people will always be kind" when they encounter disabled individuals, compared to their treatment of average individuals. This sentiment is similar to Owen's "Disabled" poem, where the protagonist undergoes isolation and pity due to the loss of his arms and legs. Sassoon writes, "And take whatever pity they may dole," emphasizing the pity given to disabled individuals. The disabled person in the poem feels envy

towards "others" who indulge in activities they can no longer partake in, such as hunting and eating.

Sassoon highlights how families may downplay the impact of a disability on a loved one, urging them not to make a scene. However, this is a significant life-altering situation that most people would struggle with. Families may feel partially responsible for causing the disability and attempt to ease their own guilt by downplaying the situation. Sassoon suggests that treating disabled individuals kindly does not absolve those who encouraged soldiers to go to war of their guilt. The sarcasm used in the poem compounds this message, highlighting the impact of war on individuals and their families.

Sassoon is assuming the identity of someone who has been motivating soldiers by claiming that losing limbs and vision is not a significant loss. This individual may be encouraging soldiers to focus on the benefits of being disabled. In contrast to other poems, this one does not address the war until the third stanza. At this juncture, the poem endeavors to demonstrate that it was written for those at home. "And people won't say that you're mad." All three poems strive to convey that those individuals played a significant role in causing soldier fatalities and injuries.

These poems were written as a means of retaliation against individuals who failed to comprehend the gravity of the war. Some soldiers refuse to speak about their experiences, aware that others would only focus on idealized portraits of returning heroes. Former friends and family members have now become distant foes.