Owen’s Implied Meaning in Anthem for Doomed Youth

The poem “Anthem for Doomed Youth,” by Wilfred Owen, has the ability to create powerfully depressing emotions in a reader. The poem has two main focal points which are the lack of respect in the soldiers’ deaths and those who grieve after the soldiers’ deaths. The meaning and emotion behind Wilfred Owen’s poem demonstrate his own life struggles. He was an enlisted soldier who fought in World War I and experienced horrific situations and the deaths of those around him. The poem has a remorseful theme of soldiers who deserve more respect for sacrificing their lives to protect their country, and the people who remain to cope and grieve after the loss of the soldiers. The tone, imagery, and mood of the poem amalgamate very well to create a poem that moves readers emotionally and illustrates Owen’s feelings toward the war.

Before going into the analysis of the poem, some background on Wilfred Owen may be helpful in understanding the meanings behind his poem. Owen did not want to enlist due to religious convictions. He came from an extremely Christian background that made his views on war conflict with his patriotic views, but British propaganda also made him feel obliged to join the military and defend his country (War Poetry). Owen believed killing others was wrong because of his beliefs in Christianity, which is evident in some of his poetry. He believed a man should defend his country which led him to fight and kill, and his experiences radiate through his cynical and critical views on the war (War Poetry). Owen tried to use his poems to impress upon people the impact, grotesqueness, and heedlessness of war. In Anthem for Doomed Youths, Owen forces the reader to look at the deaths the soldiers must endure, and the pain ...

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...oving poem which compels readers to at least understand or empathize with Owen’s own views on war. Anthem for Doomed Youth contains deep elements about war, death, loss, destruction, grief, and mourning which impact a reader’s emotions and thoughts. Perhaps, in future wars it will deter hasty decisions due to the scenes this poem paints for those who read it.

Works Cited

Hammond, Gerald. "Owen's Anthem for Doomed Youths." Explicator 40.3 41-42. Web. 7 Feb. 2012.

Kennedy, X. J., and Dana Gioia, eds. Backpack Literature: An Introduction to Fiction, Poetry, Drama, and Writing. 4th ed. New York: Longman, 2012. 629-630. Print.

Rivers, Bryan. "A Drawing Down of Blinds: Wilfred Owen's Punning Conclusion to Anthem for Doomed Youth." Notes and Queries 56.3 (2009): 409-411. Web. 7 Feb. 2012.

"Wilfred Owen 1893-1918." War Poetry. Saxon Books, 1999. Web. 2 Feb. 2012.