World War 1 was believed to be the war that would end all wars. It was new, exciting and was expected to be over before the Christmas of 1914. Then, 4 years later, after gruesome trench warfare and severe casualties, our views on war changed completely. The days of enthusiastic enlistment dissolved, while the horrifying reality about the battlefield emerged. This change in beliefs, and the influence of generations, can be seen accurately through the poems, “Dulce Et Decorum Est” by Wilfred Owen and “Pro Patria” by Owen Seaman. “Pro Patria” portrays the patriotic and nationalistic beliefs of the older generation prior to World War 1. However, “Dulce Et Decorum Est,” written by a soldier, represents anti-war feelings procured by the gruesome
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This technique allows the reader to imagine seeing the man’s body disintegrating, hear the blood gurgling in his lungs and to imagine the situation. This reinforces the severity of war and forces the reader to form their own opinion on what is being said. This is also used in “Pro Patria” through “honour calls you, go you must” and “but by the seal which you set your hand”. However, this technique is used specifically as a call to action, singling out the younger generation and highlighting their important role in joining the war. This is also combined with inclusive pronouns of “we” and “our”. This technique creates a sense of community and comradery which reinforces the strong patriotic and noble beliefs that the poem is trying to convey.
Similarly, “Pro Patria” uses an overall cheerful and proud tone. Seaman portrayed this in examples of “for other’s greater need” and “our fortunes we confide”. This tone is used to conjure proud heroism, similar to the honour that the soldiers would feel once they fight in the war for their country. In contrast, Owen wrote using a sarcastic, bitter and angry tone. This was used effectively to highlight the anger aimed at the older generation who spread lies about dying in the war as an honourable …show more content…
For example, when the soldiers were attacked with poisonous gas they had to “watch the white eyes writhing in his face” and hear “the blood come gargling from the froth-corrupted lungs”. This imagery grossly depicts the everyday relentlessness of war including the contrast of “incurable sores on innocent tongues”, with war being incurable and the soldiers innocent. This recurring imagery contrasts against the title as it depicts nothing as sweet an honourable and further reinforces the irony. Contributing to this, similes such as “like old beggars under sacks” and metaphors such as “haunting flares” and “drunk with fatigue” are used. These techniques create vivid imagery and allow the unfamiliarity of war to be easily associated with everyday representations that anyone can understand. On the other hand, Seaman wrote using a blunt patriotic discourse and doggerel. These patriotic beliefs reflect the general consensus prior to World War 1. For example, “brotherhood”, “for others’ greater need” and “where honour calls you, go you must”. Additionally, metaphorical language is used, such as “to steel our souls”, “burden is to watch” and “brute sword”. Together, this language discourses the patriotic and nationalistic beliefs of the older generation and aims to evoke a sense of unity within Great Britain. However, this is not as effective as it doesn’t convey a clear cut meaning. The doggerel causes the poem to feature
This technique allows the reader to imagine seeing the man’s body disintegrating, hear the blood gurgling in his lungs and to imagine the situation. This reinforces the severity of war and forces the reader to form their own opinion on what is being said. This is also used in “Pro Patria” through “honour calls you, go you must” and “but by the seal which you set your hand”. However, this technique is used specifically as a call to action, singling out the younger generation and highlighting their important role in joining the war. This is also combined with inclusive pronouns of “we” and “our”. This technique creates a sense of community and comradery which reinforces the strong patriotic and noble beliefs that the poem is trying to convey.
Similarly, “Pro Patria” uses an overall cheerful and proud tone. Seaman portrayed this in examples of “for other’s greater need” and “our fortunes we confide”. This tone is used to conjure proud heroism, similar to the honour that the soldiers would feel once they fight in the war for their country. In contrast, Owen wrote using a sarcastic, bitter and angry tone. This was used effectively to highlight the anger aimed at the older generation who spread lies about dying in the war as an honourable …show more content…
For example, when the soldiers were attacked with poisonous gas they had to “watch the white eyes writhing in his face” and hear “the blood come gargling from the froth-corrupted lungs”. This imagery grossly depicts the everyday relentlessness of war including the contrast of “incurable sores on innocent tongues”, with war being incurable and the soldiers innocent. This recurring imagery contrasts against the title as it depicts nothing as sweet an honourable and further reinforces the irony. Contributing to this, similes such as “like old beggars under sacks” and metaphors such as “haunting flares” and “drunk with fatigue” are used. These techniques create vivid imagery and allow the unfamiliarity of war to be easily associated with everyday representations that anyone can understand. On the other hand, Seaman wrote using a blunt patriotic discourse and doggerel. These patriotic beliefs reflect the general consensus prior to World War 1. For example, “brotherhood”, “for others’ greater need” and “where honour calls you, go you must”. Additionally, metaphorical language is used, such as “to steel our souls”, “burden is to watch” and “brute sword”. Together, this language discourses the patriotic and nationalistic beliefs of the older generation and aims to evoke a sense of unity within Great Britain. However, this is not as effective as it doesn’t convey a clear cut meaning. The doggerel causes the poem to feature