Dulce et Decorum Est
"The Soldier"
the dreamer
War and Words
A World War 1 soldier stands in a trench.
At the age of seventeen or eighteen, most young men and women are finishing high school and perhaps packing to head off to college. Some, however, choose a very different path. In 1914 when World War I began, thousands of British youth enlisted to fight for their country. Among these were some very talented poets, including Wilfred Owen, Rupert Brooke, and Siegfried Sassoon. Of these, only Sassoon survived the war. Yet all three wrote moving, powerful poetry that represented the perils of war through the eyes of a young person.
In this lesson, you will read works by each of these gifted young writers. Although this poetry was written about a century ago, the emotions, thoughts, and images expressed remain relevant to the struggles faced by soldiers and young people today.
Essential Questions
How does tone affect meaning?
What is the effect of repetition and parallelism?
How did war literature represent the struggles of World War I?
Objectives
Identify and analyze tone
Identify repetition and parallelism
Use context clues to interpret word meanings
Review italics
Key Words
context clues
italics
parallelism
repetition
tone
Introduction to War Poetry
War poetry is a genre of literature that emerged during and after World War I. It captures the experiences and emotions of soldiers who fought in the war, as well as the impact of war on society as a whole. Many war poets wrote about the horrors of battle, the loss of life, and the effects of war on individuals and communities.
One of the most famous war poets is Wilfred Owen, whose works include "Dulce et Decorum Est" and "Anthem for Doomed Youth." In "Dulce et Decorum Est," Owen vividly describes the physical and emotional toll of war on soldiers, challenging the glorification of war and exposing its true brutality.
Another renowned war poet is Siegfried Sassoon, whose poem "The Soldier" reflects on the sacrifice and bravery of soldiers who fought in the war. Sassoon's poetry often explores themes of patriotism, heroism, and the human cost of conflict.
Rupert Brooke, another influential war poet, wrote poems such as "The Soldier" and "War and Words." Brooke's poetry conveys a sense of nostalgia for the beauty of nature and the innocence of youth, juxtaposed with the harsh realities of war.
Overall, war poetry is a powerful form of expression that sheds light on the experiences of those who have lived through war. By examining the works of Wilfred Owen, Siegfried Sassoon, Rupert Brooke, and other war poets, we can gain a deeper understanding of the impact of war on individuals and society.