War Poetry

Hello everyone I'm writing these blog as a thinking activity assigned by our ma'am. There are five poems in these blog which I'll be talking about they are 

1.)Dulce et Decorum Est - Wilfred Owen

 2.) The Soldier - RUPERT BROOKE

3.) The Fear – Wilfrid Wilson Gibson

4.) The Hero - Siegfried Sassoon 

5.) The Target - Ivor Gurney

Difference between all the war poet's:-

All these five poets are associated with the horrors of World War I, each one of them have distinct voices and approaches towards the tragedy of war. There are several differences among the poet's let's take a brief overview;

Wilfred Owen:

Owen's poems focuses on the are brutality, honesty and graphics, highlighting on the physical and psychological suffering of soldiers. He uses irony and powerful imagery to expose the worthlessness of war. Famous poems include "Dulce et Decorum Est," "Anthem for Doomed Youth." His style is characterized by controlled anger, passionate pleasant for peace, and talks about the realism that confronts readers with the harsh realities of war.

Rupert Brooke:

Prior to the war, Brooke wrote romantic and patriotic poems, often idealizing war as a noble and glorious adventure. However, his later poems express a deeper awareness of the cost of war, exploring themes of mortality and loss. Famous poems include "The Soldier," "1914," and "The Great Lover." His writing style is lyrical and melodic, using rich imagery and symbolism to express emotions. His tone shifts from early idealism to a later acknowledgment of war's darkness.

Wilfred Wilson Gibson:

Gibson's poems outlines the everyday lives and struggles of working-class soldiers, with a strong emphasis on social realism and courageous language. He criticizes the hypocrisy of war by showcasing the sacrifices made by ordinary people. Famous poems include "The Conscript," and "Behind the Lines." He uses the direct and undecorated, drawing heavily on dialect and natural language to capture the lived experiences of soldiers 

Siegfried Sassoon:

Like Owen, Sassoon focuses on the miserable realities, employing satire and glacial irony to criticize the military establishment and expose the psychological trauma of war. Famous poems include "Suicide in the Trenches," and "The Hero." Sassoon's style is versatile, ranging from sardonic humor to poignant elegy. He uses vivid imagery and strong emotional cadences to convey the horrors of war and the disillusionment of soldiers.

Ivor Gurney:

Gurney's poems are combine personal experiences of the battlefield with themes of nature and beauty, often finding relief in the natural world amongst the chaos of war. His poems also reveal his struggles with shell shock and mental illness. Famous poems include "The Crown," "Out there," and "Severn Meadows." Gurney's writing style is lyrical and self-analysing, marked by rich imagery and musicality. He uses traditional forms and free verse to express his complex emotions and search for meaning in the face of war's destruction.

Here above we can see the differences in their approaches reflect their individual experiences, personalities, and artistic styles, contributing to the richness and diversity of WWI poetry.

Comparison among the two poems i.e "The Fear" by Wilfrid Wilson Gibson and "The Hero" by Siegfried Sassoon:

The two, "The Fear" and "The Hero" grapple with the psychological unrest of war, although through conflict with the contact and with different expressions of patriotism. Let's see those aspects:

While looking towards the Subject matter "The Fear" poem delves into the internal chaos of a soldier facing the battlefield. Gibson captures the painful, initial fear that grips him despite his outward display of bravery. He exposes the human cost of war, highlighting the emotional scars it leaves even on those who survive physically. In "The Hero", on the other hand, critiques are the creation of war heroes. He satirizes the public's perception of heroism, contrasting it with the soldier's actual experience of suffering. He challenges the notion of patriotism that blindly celebrates war without acknowledging its psychological destruction. 

When we look at the writing style Gibson inherits in his poem vivid imagery and severe metaphors to depict the soldier's fear. He uses short, heavy lines and disheartening language to convey the urgency and power of the battlefield experience. This creates a sense of urgency that reflects the soldier's emotional state. Whereas, Sassoon adopts a more satirical and ironic tone. He uses irony and dark humor to expose the hypocrisy of war. His language is sharp and pointed, which highlights disconnect between the public's glamorized image of war and the soldier's lived reality.

Looking from the perspective of Patriotism "The Fear" express the sympathy for the soldier's difficulty, Gibson doesn't expressively challenge the concept of patriotism. However, by exposing the emotional charge of war, he suggestively questions the blind glorification of national duty that often ignores the human cost. "The Hero", directly critiques the nationalistic patriotism that fuels war. He exposes the glorification of sacrifice as a manipulative tool used to send young men to their deaths. His poem is a powerful attraction of blind patriotism that fails to acknowledge the true cost of war on individuals and society.

Both "The Fear" and "The Hero" offer sad yet contrasting perspectives on the psychological impact of war. While Gibson focuses on the soldier's internal struggle with fear, Sassoon challenges the societal glorification of war and its heroes. They both contribute to a tone understanding of war's emotional complexities and the human deal out to, prompting us to question the simplistic labels of "hero" and "patriotism" in the context of armed conflict.

Q. Do you find any such regional poem/movies/web series/songs which can be compared to any one of the poems given here. Also, give a proper explanation of the similarity.

Yes there is a movie that is ' Kesri ' and there's a song  'Teri Mitti' which suggests the patriotic nature of the song and throughout the movie also we can see the nationalist spirit. 

In poem the Hero, it is an ironical and critical portrayal of war spirit. It talks about the glorification of soldiers who die for their country, and their sacrifices.

The song "Teri Mitti" is a patriotic and celebratory portrayal of soldiers who sacrifice themselves for their nation. It evokes emotions of love for the country and pride in the soldiers' bravery.

The poem uses a sarcastic and disillusioned tone, exposing the hypocrisy and brutality of war. The song uses a passionate and inspirational tone, which talks about the courage, bravery and selflessness of soldiers.

Sassoon employs various imagery and metaphors to depict the fearful realities of war. The song uses simpler language filled with patriotic imagery and slogans to evoke emotions.

Yes, despite their contrasting tones and themes, there are some similarities between "The Hero" and "Teri Mitti".

And also, the poem and song center around soldiers and their experiences. Both acknowledge the sacrifices made by soldiers, though for different reasons. "The Hero" criticizes the glorification of sacrifice, while "Teri Mitti" celebrates it. Both works evoke a sense of patriotism, though "The Hero" questions the reasons behind it, while "Teri Mitti" wholeheartedly promotes it.

Conclusion:

While examining the rich tapestry of World War I poetry and contemporary cultural expressions like movies and songs, we find a visibly loudness between the themes of sacrifice, patriotism, and the human duty of war. The poems of Rupert Brooke, Wilfrid Wilson Gibson, Siegfried Sassoon, and Ivor Gurney offer diverse perspectives on the horrors of war, each reflecting the unique experiences and artistic styles of the poets. Similarly, the comparison between "The Fear" by Gibson and "The Hero" by Sassoon reveals contrasting yet complementary views on the psychological impact of war and the societal perception of heroism. This comparison extends to contemporary cultural works like the movie "Kesari" and the song "Teri Mitti," which echo themes of sacrifice and patriotism while presenting different tones and perspectives. Despite their differences, these works collectively contribute to a deeper understanding of war's complexities and the enduring human spirit.

Happy learning,

Thank you🌻.