What poem is this from?
"The shrill, demented choirs of wailing shells;"
'Anthem for Doomed Youth'
What was one of Wilfred Owen's main themes in his poetry?
-The Pity of War
-Horror, brutality and futility of War
Which war did Wilfred Owen fight in?
World War 1
What are "passing-bells"?
These are church bells traditionally rung to announce a death and signal that prayers for the departed should be said.
What goes in the gap?
"If I were fierce, and bald, and ...." (3 words)
"If I were fierce, and bald, and short of breath"
"Your country is up to her neck in a fight,
And she’s looking and calling for you."
What is it called when there is a full stop, exclamation mark or question mark at the end of a line?
End-stop
Where did Wilfred Owen meet Siegfried Sassoon?
Craiglockhart Hospital in Edinburgh, Scotland.
What does this line mean?
"smug-faced crowds with kindling eye"
Note: Uses apostrophe where the speaker is talking to the absent audience at home.
smug - feeling proud of yourself, self-satisfied. In this case, it shows on their faces.
kindling - refers to the starting of a fire.
Note:
The meaning here is that the crowds at home have started the fire and are pleased with themselves in their patriotic fervour.
They fail to realise the hell they have sent their young men to, which also links with the images of fire here
What goes in the gaps?
'Sneak home and ... (4 words)
The hell where youth and ...' (2 words)
'Sneak home and pray you'll never know
The hell where youth and laughter go.'
"Shall sign the holy glimmers of goodbye"
Anthem for Doomed Youth
What poetic device is used in the following examples?
"Wailing Shells"
"Sad Shires
Personification
When was he posted back to France? 🇫🇷🏅
(Where he won the MC for being killed on the Sombre Canal)
1918
What does demented mean?
Behaving wildly and irrationally on account of anger, distress, or excitement.
Note:
Used in 'Anthem for Doomed Youth'
'The shrill, demented choirs of wailing shells;'
What goes in the gaps?
Can patter out their hasty ... (1 word)
No mockeries now for ...; no prayers nor ...; (2 words)
Nor any voice of ... save the ...,— (2 words)
'Can patter out their hasty orisons.
No mockeries now for them; no prayers nor bells;
Nor any voice of mourning save the choirs,—'
"You smug-faced crowds with kindling eye
Who cheer when soldier lads march by,"
'Suicide in the Trenches'
What language feature does this title show?
"Anthem for Doomed Youth"
Juxtaposition
What was the reason Owen was in hospital?
Shellshock
Note:
Owen had been admitted to the hospital after experiencing several traumatic events while fighting. This included being trapped for days next to the dead body of a fellow officer.
What does the word 'cowed' mean?
Which poem is this word used in?
To be frightened into submission by threats or intimidation.
Poem: 'Suicide in the Trenches'
What goes in the gaps?
'I knew a simple ... boy (1 word)
Who ... at life in ... joy, (2 words)
Slept ... through the ... dark, (2 words)
And ... early with the lark.' (1 word)
'I knew a simple soldier boy
Who grinned at life in empty joy,
Slept soundly through the lonesome dark,
And whistled early with the lark.'
"Yes, we've lost heavily in this last scrap."
Base Details
What sound device is used in the following quote, and how does this feature work to communicate an idea? Which poem is it from?
"He put a bullet through his brain."
Use of plosive alliteration with the repetition of the strong and explosive 'b' sound repeated in the short line. It mimics the harsh and shocking action taken by the young soldier of the gun going off and ending his life.
The poem is 'Suicide in the Trenches' by Siegfried Sassoon.
Who was Jessie Pope and what was she known for?
A female poet, whose poetry written in WW1 was seen as patriotic, jingoistic propaganda. She glorified combat, encouraging young men to fight, generally romanticising war.
What is the translation of the following saying in Latin? Who came up with it?
Dulce et decorum est/Pro patria mori.
"It is sweet and proper to die for one's country".
It comes from the Roman poet, Horace.
What goes in the gaps?
If you could ..., at every jolt, the blood (1 word)
Come gargling from the froth-corrupted ..., (1 word)
Obscene as ..., bitter as the ... (2 words
Of vile, ... sores on innocent ...,— (2 words)
My friend, you would not tell with such ... ...' (2 words)
'If you could hear, at every jolt, the blood
Come gargling from the froth-corrupted lungs,
Obscene as cancer, bitter as the cud
Of vile, incurable sores on innocent tongues,—
My friend, you would not tell with such high zest'