discussion on this poetry
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
The poetry mentioned in this discussion focuses on the experiences of soldiers during World War I, highlighting the struggles and horrors they faced on the battlefield. "Dulce et Decorum Est" by Wilfred Owen depicts the brutal reality of war and challenges the notion that it is honorable and noble to die for one's country. The poem exposes the harsh conditions and traumatic experiences faced by soldiers, conveying a tone of bitterness and disillusionment.
"The Soldier" by Rupert Brooke, on the other hand, presents a more idealized and romanticized view of war, with a tone of patriotism and honor. The poem glorifies the sacrifice of soldiers and suggests that dying for one's country is a noble and noble act. This contrast between the two poems showcases the different perspectives on war and the varying emotions it evokes.
"War and Words" emphasizes the power of language and poetry in conveying the emotions and experiences of soldiers. Through vivid imagery, repetition, and parallelism, the poets are able to capture the horrors and sacrifices of war, allowing readers to empathize with the soldiers' struggles.
Overall, the poetry of World War I serves as a powerful reminder of the human cost of war and the importance of remembering and honoring the experiences of those who have sacrificed so much. The themes and emotions expressed in these poems continue to resonate with readers today, highlighting the universal nature of war and its impact on individuals and societies.