ThAct: War Poetry of English Literature

 Krishna Baraiya's blog

ThAct: War Poetry of English Literature

Introduction :

War poetry is a vital genre in English literature that conveys the emotions and experiences of conflict. While its origins trace back to ancient texts like Homer’s Iliad, it gained prominence during the World Wars, with poets like Wilfred Owen and Siegfried Sassoon depicting the harsh realities of war. Themes include patriotism, sacrifice, loss, and the futility of violence. Offering a raw perspective on the human cost of war, it serves as both a historical record and a powerful reflection on its lasting impact.

Question 1: Comparing One Poem from the English Literary Canon with a War Poem Studied

Poem from the Canon: The Charge of the Light Brigade by Alfred, Lord Tennyson

Studied Poem: Dulce et Decorum Est by Wilfred Owen

Comparison:

1. Style of the Poems:

Tennyson employs a structured, rhythmic style that mirrors the marching of soldiers and emphasizes their heroic charge. The use of repetition ("Cannon to the right of them, / Cannon to the left of them") creates a sense of momentum.

Owen’s style is less structured, reflecting the chaos and unpredictability of war. His irregular meter and jarring diction mimic the disarray of a gas attack and the psychological torment of soldiers.

2. Language Employed:

Tennyson’s language is grand and polished, designed to celebrate the soldiers' bravery. He uses elevated diction such as "noble" and "honor" to glorify the act of sacrifice.

Owen’s language is visceral and raw, filled with graphic detail and powerful sensory images ("guttering, choking, drowning") to highlight the horrors of war.

3. Treatment of the Theme of War:

Tennyson portrays war as a noble endeavor, even when it results in tragic loss. The soldiers are depicted as heroes whose sacrifice is honorable.

Owen presents war as senseless and inhumane. He critiques the idea of glorifying war, especially through the ironic use of the phrase Dulce et decorum est pro patria mori ("It is sweet and fitting to die for one's country").

4. Differences and Similarities:

Differences:

Tennyson romanticizes war and its sacrifices, while Owen deconstructs such romantic ideals, exposing the brutal reality.

Similarities: 

Both focus on the soldiers' experience and explore themes of duty and sacrifice, albeit through very different lenses.

Question 2: War Poetry and the "Large Questions of Life"

"War poetry is not necessarily ‘anti-war’. It is, however, about the very large questions of life: identity, innocence, guilt, loyalty, courage, compassion, humanity, duty, desire, death."

This statement holds true for many war poets, as they explore the human condition through the lens of war.

Examples:

Wilfred Owen’s Dulce et Decorum Est:

Examines innocence and guilt as soldiers endure unimaginable horrors and the poet critiques the guilt-inducing propaganda that glorifies war.

Questions loyalty and duty, challenging the traditional idea that dying for one’s country is noble.

Ivor Gurney’s The Target:

Explores themes of guilt and humanity. The speaker reflects on the act of killing in war, questioning its moral justification and revealing its emotional toll.

Deals with death and compassion as the soldier acknowledges his role in taking lives but also yearns for forgiveness and peace.

Summary:

While some war poetry may critique war, its focus is often on the human experiences and moral dilemmas it brings to the forefront, rather than outright anti-war sentiments.

Question 3: Comparing Ivor Gurney’s The Target with Wilfred Owen’s Dulce et Decorum Est

Notable Similarities and Differences:

1. Similarities:

Exploration of Guilt and Humanity:

In The Target, Gurney portrays the soldier grappling with the guilt of killing, expressing regret and a longing for forgiveness.

In Dulce et Decorum Est, Owen critiques the guilt-inducing narratives of war propaganda, exposing the trauma soldiers endure and the emotional burden it places on them.

Focus on the Soldier’s Perspective:

Both poems delve into the experiences of individual soldiers, highlighting their struggles and humanity in the face of war.

Critique of War’s Impact:

While neither poet outright glorifies war, both underscore its devastating effects on those involved, presenting a more realistic and humanized portrayal of the battlefield.

2. Differences:

Tone:

The Target is introspective and reflective, focusing on the soldier’s internal conflict and search for peace.

Dulce et Decorum Est is more confrontational and critical, aiming to expose the lies of war propaganda and provoke the reader.

Imagery:

Gurney’s imagery is more subdued, emphasizing emotional and moral struggles ("I shot him, and it had to be").

Owen’s imagery is graphic and visceral, depicting the gruesome physical realities of war ("froth-corrupted lungs").

Objective:

Gurney’s poem seeks understanding and forgiveness for the moral compromises of war.

Owen’s poem serves as a direct condemnation of the glorification of war, aiming to dismantle the myth of its nobility.