The Penguin Book of First World War Poetry and Birdsong by Sebastian Faulks Essay Example

the author did not experience war firsthand. The renowned war poet Wilfred Owens expressed in "Apologia Pro Poemate Meo" in November 1917, "These men are worth your tears."

The soldiers felt detached from those at home and believed that their support was insignificant because they did not truly understand what they were supporting. From his own bitter experiences, Owen saw no value in the mud of France and did not see any honor or glory in it. He criticized the press, particularly the Daily Mail, for offering useless pity and sympathy to those who were needlessly dying. Owen challenged the press's assertion that the soldiers were fighting to 'maintain the nation's integrity' and demystified all that the English press was telling those at home. Despite praising those who fought, the Daily Mail sought to downplay the horrors of war, even reporting casualties in small print.

Through his poetry, Siegfried Sassoon expresses hostility towards both high-ranking military officials and the people back home. After being wounded in war and returning to England in April 1917, he grew increasingly angry at the British Army's tactics. In July of that year, he made a willful declaration as an act of defiance against military authority, stating that "the war is being deliberately prolonged by those who have the power to end it." His poems 'The Old Huntsman' (1917) and 'Counter Attack' (1918) demonstrate his animosity towards war. Additionally, Sassoon's 'Glory of Women' reveals his displeasure with women's romanticized views of war and their perception of soldiers as heroes.

The poem reflects the belief that being wounded in a certain place is necessary to be considered a hero to women, exposing their

ignorance. This attitude is also apparent in 'Suicide in the Trenches' 1917, where Sassoon employs sarcasm and hostility. The line 'He put a bullet through his brain, no one spoke of him again' illustrates how those mentally affected by war were largely ignored at home, as only those who died in battle were remembered. This demonstrates the negative perception of suicide and how it was not seen as a heroic death. Sassoon critiques the 'smug faced' crowds who cheer for the army as they pass by, urging them to pray they never experience 'The hell where youth and laughter go'.

In another instance, it becomes evident that the enemy was not far away, but rather within the confines of one's own home. Sassoon held animosity towards the masses for their lack of comprehension towards the challenges that faced young soldiers in the trenches. His aim was to convey the notion that war strips a man of his joy and youth. Similarly, Charles Sorley, another poet, voiced his criticism towards the war effort.

In 1916, Sorely's book Marlborough and other poems became popular, featuring 37 completed poems which showed the raw truth of war. His poem 'When you see millions of the mouthless dead' provides readers with a glimpse of what life was really like on the battlefield. Sorely calls for a truthful portrayal of war, stating, "say not soft things as other men have said." He opposed patriotic and romanticized war poems, including Rupert Brooke's "The Soldier," which Sorely criticized for its lack of realism.

Sorely conveys war conditions by using the phrases 'gashed heads' and 'nor honour'. Along with that, he criticizes those who mourn pointlessly

for soldiers with 'blind eyes see not your tears'. He also emphasizes the horrid conditions of war by saying 'It is easy to be dead', revealing how many soldiers would rather die than have to live with the haunting memories. Sorely aims to show readers that war is impersonal, showcasing the difficulty of finding 'one face that you loved' among the 'o'ercrowded mass'.

Enlisting with the artists rifles in 1915, Edward Thomas began to write poetry that went against what people thought war was like back at home. Similar to Wilfred Owens, Thomas was hostile towards the English media and its portrayal of war. In his poem 'This is no case of petty right or wrong' from 1915, he vowed not to please the newspapers by growing fond of Englishmen. Like many other poets, Thomas believed that the English media softened the reality of the war to keep the public happy. He also expressed his dislike for politicians by stating that they could not judge war as they were ignorant of its true conditions.

Thomas's poem 'Rain' depicts the divide between those at home and those at war. The poet seems to distance himself from his loved ones by referring to them as 'whom once I loved', implying that he holds them responsible for his ordeal. Nonetheless, he suggests that they are powerless amidst 'the living and the dead', implying that they cannot assist him in any way. This further underscores Thomas's accusation against the government.

Thomas' poem conveys his deep despair during the war, revealing that he found solace only in "the love of death". In contrast, Sebastian Faulks' modern novel 'Birdsong' was not based on

personal wartime experience. However, some critics argue that this detachment allowed him to provide a more impartial perspective. The main aim of the author was to educate society about the realities of war.

Faulks acquired some of his knowledge about war by studying war poetry from the likes of Edmund Blunden, Ivor Gurney, and David Jones. Birdsong, like the previously mentioned war poems, exposed the ignorance of the English public. This ignorance was caused by the media's presentation of a watered-down version of the realities of war. The book also highlights this, as Weir returns from the war to discover that the media had convinced the public that war was heroic and patriotic. However, Weir informs them of the true horror of war. Stephen also notes that the front pages contained no news of the war.

This passage illustrates how the gap between soldiers and their families during war widened, causing many soldiers to believe they were left behind and forgotten. The novel Birdsong portrays the anger felt by soldiers towards their families due to their lack of understanding about the harsh realities of war. Weir, a character in the novel, expresses this frustration when he expresses a wish for a major bombing to hit Piccadilly.

The challenge soldiers faced when attempting to reintegrate into society after the war is underscored by the birdsong. This is evident when Weir comes back home from the war and perceives how the "denseness of silence pressed his ears." This indicates how soldiers became familiar with the noise of unrelenting bombing and shelling. Despite this, Weir himself recognized that he should appreciate the peace and quiet and wished that a "familiar wash

of normality would come over him." Additionally, Faulks emphasizes the lack of knowledge among the British people after the war's end.

Despite the soldiers not feeling any sense of belonging after returning home, the public's response only made things worse. The fear of the perceived passive beings returning from war demonstrated a lack of understanding of the horrific effects of war on soldiers. Rather than offering support and empathy, many chose to avoid them. This widespread avoidance by the public contributed to the soldiers' paranoia.

The chapter featuring Stephen and the store clerk illustrates how the English public let down those who fought for their country. Isabelle notes that Stephen has transformed "almost beyond recognition," indicating a significant shift in soldiers' attitudes as the war progressed.

At the outset of the war, feelings of patriotism and high spirits were soon replaced by animosity and fury, not towards the Germans, but towards their own country. Edward Thomas's 'This is no case of petty right or wrong' and Wilfred Owen's 'Apologia Pro Poemate Meo' reveal the English public's ignorance and gullibility in accepting media reports. Sebastian Faulks' Birdsong similarly underscores this problem, while also illuminating how the public failed to empathize with the 'passive beings' who returned from war, often distancing themselves from them. My study of war poems failed to highlight this issue, so Birdsong was invaluable for enhancing my understanding of the war.

Upon examining both individuals, it is challenging to not experience sympathy and sadness towards them, as well as frustration and revulsion towards the English population. Consequently, one can readily infer that the public expressions made by Sassoon and Owens were warranted.