Grave Homecoming Poem Analysis

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Recommended: Theame of war in poetry

Over the centuries, poetry has endeavoured to communicate human emotion and ideas. Bruce Dawe’s grave Homecoming and the saddening Dulce et Decorum est by Wilfred Owen convey the trauma in war-stricken situations and the loss involved. Significantly differing from these sombre themes, William Shakespeare is able to convey his love and appreciation for a woman in My Mistress’ Eyes which conflicts with the self-hatred and resentment apparent in Jennifer Maiden’s stark Anorexia. Delving into personal emotions, a number of the poems express despair in conflict or, conversely, aim to portray an inner turmoil.

The depressing atmosphere of Homecoming appeals to the reader by evoking a sense of despair. As the soldiers’ bodies are returned from war, Dawe explores the undignified treatment of the corpses, zipped “in green …show more content…

The soldier’s voice is communicated in first person to add a personal touch. “I saw him drowning” enables the reader to envision the terror associated with witnessing such a scene. Dulce et Decorum est speaks honestly of the atrocities of war to convey how war is nothing to be glorified, exposing the saying “it is sweet and fitting to die for one’s native land”. “Innocent tongues” would not elevate the conflict if they only knew the “bitter” reality. Soldiers are “bent double”, weighed by exhaustion, forced into degrading situations “like old beggars”. Barely conscious, they “trudge” in their shoes of blood, “deaf” to the loud noises around them as they lose their senses. The haunting sight of a man grabs the reader, while his “froth corrupted” lungs drown in mustard gas. Alliteration in “all went lame, all blind” and “watch the white eyes writhing” employs rhythmic features to convey the atrocities. successfully expressing shock, terror and pain, Owen honestly advises his readers of the true emotions in

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