How does Wilfred Owen represent the First World War?
Within the four years of the monstrous First World War, Wilfred Owen wrote numerous famous poems that reflected the ghastly conditions. In comparison other poets also wrote propaganda poems to help the government to recruit men. One of them was Rupert Brooke “The soldier” which illustrates the public attitude towards the First World War.
Anthem for Doomed Youth opens with a sober and solemn tone shown through a rhetorical question. Wilfred Owen, right from the beginning, permits the reader to acknowledge the unspoken answer. “Passing bells” implies lack of empathy towards the deceased soldiers; referring also to them as “cattle.” This can reveal the quantity of deaths doesn’t affect the rest of the population because they relate to the horrendous events as common. Owen shows the general attitude towards the First World War as dismissive however reflective.
In comparison, Rupert Brooke’s “The soldier” starts with “If I should.” A conditional clause expressing an opinion and indicates sense of duty. Brookes expresses the government’s attitude through the generalisation of this poem. “The soldier” is supposed to invoke an emotive response by targeting their pride, egotism and sense of obligation to serve. “Foreign field….forever England” Brooke’s is conveying though alliteration that patriotism for your home land will eternally be embedded within you. The tone is complacent, allowing the reader to reflect on the physical aspect of dying with gratification and pride for England. The quote is almost justifying the reason why a soldier