![]() ![]() Onomatopoeic words such as “stuttering” and “wailing” and the alliterative “rifles’ rapid rattle” create an aural picture which puts the reader right in the dramatic battle scenes. ![]() Owen uses a range of sound effects in the octet to recreate the harsh noises of war. The “monstrous anger” of the guns emphasises the hostile surroundings in the trenches. The sounds of the weapons in the octet are made more threatening because of Owen’s use of personification. Again it makes a mockery of the jingoistic poetry used to glamorise the war. This dehumanises the men, making them seem like animals being slaughtered. Imagery: Owen employs imagery (lines 2-4), by employing noisy words such as stuttering and patter to get the audience to imagine the sounds one would. Simile comparing “these who die” to cattle. The word ‘doomed’ suggests that these men are already dead and implies little hope before we even read the poem.įinally, the word ‘youth’ seems used to remind us how young and innocent these soldiers were, making their futile deaths all the more poignant. This double meaning could be used ironically here as the poem rejects the rousing propaganda that glorified war, and also questions the usefulness of religious ceremonies and practices when soldiers die. It can also refer to music set to a religious reading which is sung by a choir during some Christian services. It can refer to a rousing song used by a certain group or team - think of football or national anthems for example. It was suggested by his fellow war poet, Siegfried Sassoon. The title of the poem makes Owen’s intentions clear. ![]()
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