The Changing Role of Poetry in the First World War
In this essay I will discuss the changing attitudes of poets during
the First World War. I will select a range of poems that will cover
the early days through to the end of the war and explain how the texts
were used for different purposes. I will also show how the language of
the poetry went through gradual changes.
Poetry written in 1914-1918 about the war had four basic phases:
expectation, experience, protest and finally reflection. I will cover
all four in this essay.
Britain's entry to the war was forced upon us. The army was sent into
action after Germany threatened Belgium, a country we had promised to
be allies with, Britain seemed to dive into an unplanned and very
vulnerable situation.
The people seemed to have no idea of what was about to happen. The
attitude across the country seemed to be one of all the young men
going off to fight the enemy, and all of them coming home heroes.
There was an attitude that war was a patriotic sacrifice and almost a
passage that young men should go through, to come out as civilised,
and experienced, human beings. The poets writing at the time, such as
Julian Grenfell wrote of the warmth of comradeship and left alone the
possibility of actually dying over there. The poems are so airy and
warm, speaking of the spring and new beginnings, and even of death
being an ultimate honour.
In "Into Battle" Grenfell uses romantic language, opening the first
stanza with: "The naked earth is warm with spring," is hardly the way
to describe a war. This was at the beginning of the war and the
attitude was very patriotic and an enthusias...
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suffered by many in the trenches. Sassoon is worried that the memory
of this might be lost to future generations:
'But the past is just the same--and War's a bloody game...
Have you forgotten yet?
Look down, and swear by the slain of the War that you'll never
forget."
The First World War did bring about many changes- socially,
politically and technologically. As well as this, 1914-1918 saw a
complete change in the style and structure of poetry. The strictness
of rhythm and rhyme were cast aside in favour of more accessible and
straightforward forms as the war progressed. The language became more
colloquial. These ideas and many oh coupled with the free verse style
of Rosenberg finally freed the poet from the earlier restraints and
allowed them to more easily express their feelings and to the public.
It must be understood that if one is looking for a book that is extremely accurate about historical details of the war, this is not the book to read. Personal memories are, of course, incredibly subjective and prone to be altered by things people discover after the fact; however, this book is not meant to be a far-removed historical account. As explained in the Author’s Note, Tomedi did his best to leave the interviews as unedited as possible in terms of the facts, adding ...
This book is essentially different from any other that has been published concerning the 'late war' or any of incidents. Those who have had any such experiences as the author will see its truthfulness at once, and to all other readers it is commended as a statement of actual things by one who experienced them to the fullest. (O'Brien Prologue)
lust. To his Coy Mistress is a pure lust one even though in parts may
In the books All Quiet on the Western Front by Erich Maria Remarque and The Wars by Timothy Findley, there is clear evidence of the nature of war. With all the efforts of preparation, discipline, and anticipation, false hopes were created for the young individuals, who leave the battlefields with numerous emotional and physical scars. The propaganda and disciplinary training to convince naïve young men to go to battle to fight for their country, the death of their comrades, and the physical breakdown are all part of twentieth century warfare.
during the war. This novel is able to portray the overwhelming effects and power war has
Portrayal of War in the Pre 1900 Poetry Before 1900, war was always seen as a glorious thing. People truly believed in the words of the ancient writer Horace, "Dulce et decorum est, pro patria mori. " This phrase can be translated, as "It is a lovely and honourable thing; to die for one's country". Pre 1900 war poetry was strongly patriotic and glossed over the grim reality of death, preferring instead to display the heroic aspects of fighting. If death was mentioned, it was only in a noble and glorious context.
are not free in service, you do what you are told and this is the same
The writers of 'Joining the Colours' and 'The Send Off' both use poetry to express their feelings about soldiers leaving for war. Each have similar attitudes about the subject, but use different approaches to try and get their message across. Both question the popular concept of war, including ideas such as heroism and glory. Katherine Hinkson, the poet who wrote 'Joining the Colours', shows the scene from two different perspectives, that of the audience watching the soldiers and also her own point of view. Wilfred Owen simply shares his thoughts by describing the soldiers leaving from a station, although the effect is no less powerful. As Hinkson is a woman, she focuses more on a mother or wives point of view, whereas Owen gives more of the soldiers perspective.
How do the later war poets differ in their treatment of war? from early war poets? World War I was noticeable for the vast amounts of poetry that was produced by many of the soldiers. The poets wrote vastly over the years 1914-1918 and they all expressed many different opinions. It was a way of getting their views across to other people.
The First World War, also known as the Great War, began in about 1914 and went on until 1918. This brutal war was an extremely bloody time for Europe and the soldiers that fought in it. These men spent their days in trenches holding down bases and taking in attacks from all sides. The soldier's only free time was consumed with writing letters to those on the home front. The letters they wrote contain heart breaking stories of how their days were spent and the terrible signs of war. The War consumed them and many of them let out all their true feelings of war in their letters to loved ones. In The First World War: A brief History With Documents we can find some of these letters that help us understand what the First World War might have been like for these young and desperate soldiers.
When studying any culture it is inevitable that one is going to run into history of battles and wars. Most of these skirmishes mark important milestones in history, weather this is through the exchange of land and governess, or because of newfound power and transfer of power. Either way the ensuing wars that may follow uproar can trace all of history. War causes many people to pay an increased amount of attention to the world around them, resulting in the documentation of the time through writing about the war.
that Owen had the right view on war. We can see this clearly in his
In the fourth stanza of “Recalling War”, the war is over and the war has turn earth to
The second chapter, The Text, of Griffith’s study focuses on the text itself. There has been debate about how many chapters were originally in “The Art of War”: Eighty-Two or Thirteen. (p. 13) Griffith gives a sound theory that the current thirteen chapters were the only writings. Based on copywriting errors, the eighty-two chapters were probably written into thirteen categories (or chapters) while trying to transcribe written work onto paper from silk or wood. Griffith also asserts that the text was used for entry-level war fighting studies in early Chinese military academies.
His first chapter of the this book explains the planning before the war, what is it that you have to take care of. He provides us with different factors, which have to be deeply considered before entering a war. It 's an advice on how to prepare yourself before it 's too late. There is a certain value, which is being hinted at here- cautiousness. He goes on to explain that winning in particular moments quickly is vital for success and he provides his definition of the