War PoetryWar Poetry

Wilfred Owen- Wilfred Owen- 1893 to1893 to 19181918

Born In Shropshire.Born In Shropshire.

Joined up in 1915 and served Joined up in 1915 and served with the Manchester regimentwith the Manchester regiment

►Wilfred Owen finally succumbed to Wilfred Owen finally succumbed to breakdown in mid April 1917, after breakdown in mid April 1917, after heroic action at the beginning of the heroic action at the beginning of the month, and 12 days in the line under month, and 12 days in the line under harrowing conditions.harrowing conditions.

►During this time he was a victim of During this time he was a victim of shell blast, and had to take refuge in a shell blast, and had to take refuge in a shelter where he was surrounded by shelter where he was surrounded by the scattered remains of a fellow-the scattered remains of a fellow-officer.officer.

Craiglockhart War HospitalCraiglockhart War Hospital

► It was here that Wilfred met two It was here that Wilfred met two important figures in his life.important figures in his life.

► One was the medical officer Arthur One was the medical officer Arthur Brock who, in his own words, Brock who, in his own words, encouraged Owen to face the encouraged Owen to face the 'phantoms of the mind' and even 'phantoms of the mind' and even exploit them in his poetry – exploit them in his poetry –

►The other was fellow poet Siegfried The other was fellow poet Siegfried Sassoon.Sassoon.

Returned to the trenches in Returned to the trenches in 19181918

Owen won the military cross for Owen won the military cross for braverybravery

He was killed on November 4He was killed on November 4thth 19181918

He left behind a He left behind a collection of poems that collection of poems that stand as a powerful stand as a powerful statement about the statement about the truth of all wars..

““This book is not about heroes. English This book is not about heroes. English poetry is not yet fit to speak of them.poetry is not yet fit to speak of them.

Nor is it about deeds, or lands, nor Nor is it about deeds, or lands, nor anything about glory, honour, might, anything about glory, honour, might, majesty, dominion, or power, except majesty, dominion, or power, except War.War.

Above All I am not concerned with Above All I am not concerned with Poetry.Poetry.

My subject is War, and the pity of War.My subject is War, and the pity of War.The Poetry is in the pity.The Poetry is in the pity.All a poet can do today is warn. That is All a poet can do today is warn. That is

why the true poets must be truthful”why the true poets must be truthful”

►What does the first line say about What does the first line say about English poetry? Why do you think English poetry? Why do you think Owen states this?Owen states this?

►What does the second line suggest What does the second line suggest about the preconceptions about about the preconceptions about poetry?poetry?

►Why do you think it is so important for Why do you think it is so important for poets to be truthful?poets to be truthful?

Anthem for Doomed YouthAnthem for Doomed Youth What passing-bells for these who die as cattle?What passing-bells for these who die as cattle?

        Only the monstrous anger of the guns.Only the monstrous anger of the guns.

        Only the stuttering rifles' rapid rattleOnly the stuttering rifles' rapid rattle

Can patter out their hasty orisons.Can patter out their hasty orisons.

No mockeries for them from prayers or bells,No mockeries for them from prayers or bells,

        Nor any voice of mourning save the choirs,—Nor any voice of mourning save the choirs,—

The shrill, demented choirs of wailing shells;The shrill, demented choirs of wailing shells;

        And bugles calling for them from sad shires. And bugles calling for them from sad shires.

What candles may be held to speed them all?What candles may be held to speed them all?

Not in the hands of boys, but in their eyesNot in the hands of boys, but in their eyes

Shall shine the holy glimmers of good-byes.Shall shine the holy glimmers of good-byes.

      The pallor of girls' brows shall be their pall;The pallor of girls' brows shall be their pall;

Their flowers the tenderness of silent maids,Their flowers the tenderness of silent maids,

And each slow dusk a drawing-down of blinds.And each slow dusk a drawing-down of blinds.