Another essay for your consideration

Another essay on Wilfred Owen’s poetry completed in exam conditions. I am grateful for all contributions, however, I would welcome an essay on another topic for a bit of variety! Any comments?

Discuss ideas, opinions or information in your studied texts that caused a strong reaction in you as a reader.

Wilfred Owen was an anti-conflict poet of the World War One era, his poems are heavy with anger, cynicism and imagery from his front line experiences. As he stated “the poetry is in the pity”. He was desperately infuriated by the patriotism and myopia of the British public at the time, and he used his poetry like a weapon to end the needless deaths of millions during the war.

In his poem “Anthem for doomed youth”, Owen questions the sincerity of a formal Christian burial, and the justification for the deaths of countless soldiers on the battle field.

“What passing-bells for these who die as cattle? Only the stuttering rifle’s rapid rattle”

The dead soldiers get no respect, nothing to mark their pointless deaths whereas at home a funeral is full of formality and tradition. This angered Owen, that a comfortable death at home is rewarded with useless formalities, he saw it as a “mockery” for dead soldiers. I agree, where is the use in acknowledging death with useless ceremony when the things that count go un-noticed?

His poem “Dulce Et Decorum Est” describes a mustard gas attack on a group of fatigued soldiers. Since the people at home had no real idea of the horror of the front line, Owen in this poem is trying to sell the blind patriots some reality by describing events he witnessed. It is a shocking and powerful poem with lots of emotive language “Cursed, trudged, old beggars” and gruesome imagery of the attack.

“Floundering like a man in fire or time … blood come gurling from froth corrupted lungs

vile as … cancerous sores on innocent tongues”

Owen is educating people on the truths of war, and this poem taught me a lot. It taught me that war is not a camping trip with guns, as many unwitting war supporters of the time thought too.

This poem is also a intellectual attack on the patriots and war supporters, trying to convey the message that death in war is not honourable or glorious, contrary to the old ideals that were still held at the time. Owen writes “If you could see… my friend, you would not tell with such high zest to children desperate for some ardent glory, the old lie” Dulce et Decorum Est, Pro patria mori.”

Owen is stating his belief that if you knew what really went on, you would stop sending all these young men to their deaths.

Wilfred Owen had strong ideals (backed up by experience) that war was a waste and only the myopia and stupidity of people in power let it continue. It was up to the masses to end the conflict, so he used his poetry to convey his ideals in direct disagreement of the patriots and politicians.