The Treatment of War in Poetry

Beyond the Battlefield: Comparing the Treatment of War in Poetry

This blog is part of Thinking Activity on War Poetry assigned by Prakruti Bhatt Ma'am.

(i) Rupert Brooke                      (ii) Ivor Gurney

   (iii) Wilfrid Wilson Gibson 

        (iv) Wilfren Owen                      (v) Siegfried Sassoon 

Que.1) Choose one poem from the English literary cannon which deals with the theme of war and compare it with any one of the five war poems you have studied in this unit. [Discuss aspects like the style of the poems, language employed, treatment of the theme of war, etc.] How are they different? Are there any similarities?

Here I have taken "MCMXIV" by Philip Larkin and "The Soldier" by Rupert Brooke to analyze. Both "MCMXIV"  and "The Soldier" deal with the theme of war, yet their treatment of the subject matter, the tone, and the style differ significantly. Below, I’ll explore the contrasts and similarities between these two works, focusing on aspects such as style, language, and the theme of war.

Original Poems

MCMXIV

Those long uneven lines

Standing as patiently

As if they were stretched outside

The Oval or Villa Park,

The crowns of hats, the sun

On moustached archaic faces

Grinning as if it were all

An August Bank Holiday lark;

And the shut shops, the bleached

Established names on the sunblinds,

The farthings and sovereigns,

And dark-clothed children at play

Called after kings and queens,

The tin advertisements

For cocoa and twist, and the pubs

Wide open all day;

And the countryside not caring

The place-names all hazed over

With flowering grasses, and fields

Shadowing Domesday lines

Under wheats' restless silence;

The differently-dressed servants

With tiny rooms in huge houses,

The dust behind limousines;

Never such innocence,

Never before or since,

As changed itself to past

Without a word—the men

Leaving the gardens tidy,

The thousands of marriages

Lasting a little while longer:

Never such innocence again.

The Soldier

If I should die, think only this of me:

      That there’s some corner of a foreign field

That is forever England. There shall be

      In that rich earth a richer dust concealed;

A dust whom England bore, shaped, made aware,

      Gave, once, her flowers to love, her ways to roam;

A body of England’s, breathing English air,

      Washed by the rivers, blest by the suns of home.

And think, this heart, all evil shed away,

      A pulse in the eternal mind, no less

            Gives somewhere back the thoughts by England given;

Her sights and sounds; dreams happy as her day;

      And laughter, learnt of friends; and gentleness,

            In hearts at peace, under an English heaven.

Treatment of War

"The Soldier" by Rupert Brooke:

• Idealization and Patriotism: "The Soldier" is widely recognized as an idealistic and patriotic poem. It speaks from the perspective of a soldier who views his death in war as a noble sacrifice for his country. The soldier is portrayed as dying for England, and even in death, he sees himself as contributing to the greater good, ensuring that England’s soil and spirit live on. Example: 

"If I should die, think only this of me: 

That there's some corner of a foreign field 

That is for ever England."

• Romanticization of War: The language in "The Soldier" is deeply romanticized. Brooke emphasizes the beauty of England and its purity, suggesting that even in death, the soldier is part of something greater and more eternal. The war is not depicted as something to be questioned or feared; it is part of a grand, almost sacred, duty to the nation.

"MCMXIV" by Philip Larkin:

• Loss of Innocence and Nostalgia: Larkin’s "MCMXIV" focuses on the loss of innocence brought about by World War I. The poem does not engage directly with the war itself, but instead reflects on life before the war, depicting an idyllic, almost picturesque view of England. The title, "MCMXIV," refers to the year the war began, and through this lens, Larkin portrays a time when life was simple and peaceful. Example: 

"Never such innocence,  

Never before or since, 

As changed itself to past 

Without a word."

• Disillusionment and Subtle Critique: While Larkin’s poem is not explicitly anti-war, it implicitly critiques the innocence and ignorance of the pre-war generation. The poem contrasts the innocent image of a peaceful, prosperous England with the reality of how this innocence was lost as a result of the war. The line "Never such innocence again" emphasizes a profound, irreversible change. Unlike Brooke, Larkin does not glorify the war but underscores the traumatic effects it had on society.

Language and Style

"The Soldier":

• Elevated, Lyrical Language: Brooke’s style is formal and elevated, with a focus on reverence and grandeur. The poem employs a calm, almost spiritual tone, with its use of formal diction and rhetorical devices like personification ("The soldier’s heart" and "And laughter is in the air"). The poem uses the first-person voice to speak directly to the reader, invoking a sense of personal duty and sacrifice.

• Imagery of Nature and England: The imagery in "The Soldier" is heavily connected to nature and the English landscape. Brooke uses rich, idealized imagery to connect the soldier’s death to the land of England, as if dying for England is a return to the natural world. Example: 

"A pulse in the eternal mind 

No less gives back the thoughts of England."

 

"MCMXIV":

• Plain, Straightforward Language: Larkin's style is stark, using plain and precise language to convey a sense of disillusionment. The poem is characterized by simple, almost mundane imagery that contrasts sharply with the elevated tone of Brooke’s work. Larkin’s language is understated, yet this simplicity adds to the melancholy and the realization of innocence lost.

• Vivid, Nostalgic Imagery: Larkin uses concrete images, such as "The crowns of hats," "The shut shops," and "The farthings and sovereigns," to evoke a sense of pre-war life. His descriptions are nostalgic but tinged with a sense of inevitability, as though he is reflecting on a time that will soon be wiped away by the horrors of war.

Tone and Attitude Towards War

"The Soldier":

• Optimistic, Heroic: The tone of "The Soldier" is optimistic, heroic, and sentimental. Brooke’s poem presents the soldier's death as a glorious and selfless act. The soldier’s identity is closely tied to the country, and the war is seen as a noble endeavor. The poem is often viewed as embodying the early war sentiment, which was marked by patriotic fervor and national pride.

• Sense of Duty and Sacrifice: Brooke speaks to a sense of honor and duty in a soldier’s sacrifice, where death in battle is seen as an honorable fate. His portrayal of war is not of horror but of peaceful nobility, as if it is a calling for the soldier.

"MCMXIV":

• Melancholic, Reflective: Larkin’s tone is melancholic and reflective, filled with a deep sense of loss. The poem presents an image of pre-war innocence, but it emphasizes the fragility of that innocence and the irrevocable changes that come with the war. The tone suggests that the world of the pre-war generation is forever gone, replaced by the harsh realities of war and its consequences.

• Subtle Critique of Pre-War Attitudes: Larkin does not glamorize war but critiques the society that existed before it. The "innocence" mentioned in the poem is not purely positive but rather a naivety that was shattered by the war. There is an underlying sadness and regret, suggesting that the war brought a harsh end to the simpler, more naive times.
  
  

Structure and Form

"The Soldier":

• Sonnet Form: "The Soldier" is written in the form of a Shakespearean sonnet, which is traditionally used for serious and elevated topics. The sonnet's structure helps to convey the solemnity and grandeur of the subject matter, reinforcing the patriotic and noble themes of the poem.

• Rhythm and Meter: The poem follows a strict iambic pentameter, adding to its formal, controlled, and dignified feel. The structure enhances the sense of stability and order in the poem, mirroring the idealized view of England and the soldier’s sacrifice.

"MCMXIV":

• Free Verse: Larkin’s "MCMXIV" does not adhere to a fixed rhyme scheme or meter. The free verse reflects the poem’s more reflective, informal nature, emphasizing the brokenness of the past and the disarray that came with the war. The lack of a formal structure contrasts with the idealized and ordered nature of Brooke's sonnet.

• Rhythm and Pacing: Larkin’s use of short lines and lack of regular rhythm gives the poem a fragmented and almost conversational tone. It creates a sense of disarray and loss, underlining the theme of innocence lost.

Similarities

Both poems deal with the theme of war, albeit in very different ways. Both explore the idea of innocence: "The Soldier" presents an idealized version of England and war, while "MCMXIV" reflects on the loss of innocence caused by the war. Both poems are concerned with how life changes due to war, though one is more direct in its patriotic portrayal and the other more critical.

Differences

• Tone: Brooke’s tone is heroic and patriotic, while Larkin’s is melancholic and reflective.
• Perspective on War: Brooke romanticizes the soldier’s sacrifice, while Larkin critiques the loss of innocence and suggests that the war destroyed something vital in society.
• Language: Brooke’s language is formal and elevated, whereas Larkin’s language is plain, direct, and understated.
• Structure: "The Soldier" is a Shakespearean sonnet with formal meter, while "MCMXIV" is free verse, reflecting the more fragmented nature of Larkin’s reflections.
  

Conclusion

In summary, while both poems engage with the theme of war, their approaches are radically different: Brooke’s "The Soldier" glorifies the war and the sacrifice of soldiers, presenting it as noble and heroic, while Larkin’s "MCMXIV" reflects on the pre-war innocence and the devastating loss caused by the war, using a more modern and disillusioned perspective.

QUE.2) War poetry is not necessarily ‘anti-war’. It is, however, about the very large questions of life: identity, innocence, guilt, loyalty, courage, compassion, humanity, duty, desire, death." Discuss this statement in the context of 'The Fear' by Wilfrid Wilson Gibson and 'The Target' by Ivor Gurney. 

Introduction

War poetry often transcends mere glorification or condemnation of war, focusing instead on the profound and universal questions of existence. This is evident in Wilfrid Wilson Gibson’s The Fear and Ivor Gurney’s The Target, both of which explore the psychological, moral, and existential dilemmas faced by individuals in war. By examining themes of identity, guilt, innocence, loyalty, courage, compassion, humanity, duty, desire, and death, these poems capture the complexities of war beyond simplistic binaries of pro- or anti-war sentiment.

The Fear by Wilfrid Wilson Gibson

In The Fear, Gibson portrays the psychological torment of a soldier grappling with the overwhelming emotions of combat. The poem focuses on a soldier who succumbs to fear during a crucial moment, leading to his survival at the expense of his comrades. Through his confession, Gibson reveals the soldier’s inner conflict between societal expectations of courage and the paralyzing reality of his fear.

The central theme of identity emerges through the soldier’s fractured self-perception. War challenges his sense of self as he struggles to reconcile his survival instincts with the heroic ideals expected of him. His admission of fear and perceived cowardice highlights the gap between romanticized notions of soldierly valor and the raw, human experience of combat.

Guilt becomes a dominant motif as the soldier reflects on his actions. While survival is instinctual, the soldier’s escape comes at the cost of leaving others to face danger. This internal conflict evokes profound questions about innocence and guilt. Is he guilty for following his instincts, or is the true guilt embedded in a system that places individuals in such morally compromising positions? Gibson’s work subtly critiques the psychological toll of war, focusing not on explicit condemnation but on the soldier’s deeply personal and human struggle.

Furthermore, the poem examines the theme of duty. The soldier’s failure to live up to societal expectations challenges traditional ideas of obligation to one’s country or comrades. In doing so, Gibson invites readers to question whether the notion of duty is realistic or humane when faced with life-and-death situations.

The Target by Ivor Gurney

Ivor Gurney’s The Target complements The Fear by addressing the emotional aftermath of taking another person’s life in war. The speaker is a soldier reflecting on the moment he killed an enemy combatant, wrestling with questions of morality and shared humanity. The poem is steeped in remorse, with the soldier pondering the life of the person he killed, imagining him as a fellow human with a family and dreams. This reflection underscores the theme of compassion, showing how war dehumanizes individuals yet paradoxically forces them to confront their shared humanity.

The poem’s exploration of guilt takes a different tone from Gibson’s. While The Fear centers on guilt derived from self-preservation, The Target examines the guilt of having destroyed another life. The soldier is haunted not just by his victim’s death but by the impersonal, mechanical nature of killing in war. The act of pulling a trigger becomes an existential burden, a moment that forever alters his understanding of morality and life.

The theme of identity is also pivotal. The speaker sees himself as a tool of the war machine, stripped of individuality and morality. He grapples with his identity as both a soldier fulfilling a duty and a human being questioning the ethical implications of that role. This duality reflects a larger tension in war poetry: the soldier as both perpetrator and victim.

The concept of duty is further complicated by the speaker’s apparent resignation to his role. While he acknowledges the expectations placed upon him by society and his superiors, there is an underlying sense of disillusionment. The war’s moral ambiguity makes it impossible for him to reconcile his actions with his conscience, highlighting the inherent conflict between personal morality and societal obligation.

War Poetry and Life’s Big Questions

Both The Fear and The Target exemplify how war poetry focuses on existential questions rather than adopting overtly anti-war stances. Together, they address some of the following key themes:

• Identity and Humanity:

The Fear reveals the internal conflict of a soldier torn between societal expectations and personal fear. The Target examines how war strips soldiers of their individuality, reducing them to mere instruments of destruction while reminding them of their shared humanity with the enemy.

• Innocence and Guilt:

In Gibson’s poem, guilt stems from survival at the expense of comrades. In Gurney’s, guilt arises from the act of killing, suggesting a loss of innocence that transcends national or political boundaries.

• Compassion and Courage:

Both poems emphasize the shared human experience of suffering in war. The courage typically associated with soldiers is redefined as an internal struggle rather than outward heroics.

• Duty and Desire:

The tension between personal desires (self-preservation, peace) and the imposed duty of war underscores the moral complexity of combat. Both poets question whether duty can ever truly justify war’s ethical compromises.

• Death and the Fragility of Life:

Both poems confront the omnipresence of death in war. While death is a physical reality, it is also symbolic of the emotional and moral toll of war, as soldiers grapple with the fragility of life and the finality of their actions.

Conclusion

The Fear and The Target demonstrate how war poetry navigates the emotional and moral complexities of war, avoiding reductive pro- or anti-war stances. By addressing themes of identity, guilt, humanity, and duty, these poems highlight the deep existential questions that arise in the context of war. They remind readers that the true impact of war lies not just in its physical devastation but in the lasting emotional and ethical scars it leaves on those who endure it. Through their nuanced exploration of these themes, Gibson and Gurney reveal the enduring relevance of war poetry in understanding the human condition.

Que.3) Compare Ivor Gurney's The Target with Wilfred Owen's Dulce et Decorum Est. What are some notable similarities and differences between these two war poets and their poetry?

Introduction

War poetry captures the emotional, physical, and moral challenges faced by soldiers, often serving as a stark reminder of war’s devastating realities. Ivor Gurney’s The Target and Wilfred Owen’s Dulce et Decorum Est are two powerful examples of this genre, written by poets who experienced the brutality of World War I firsthand. While both poems critique the romanticized notions of war, they differ in their tone, focus, and thematic concerns. Gurney reflects on the personal psychological toll of killing in battle, while Owen delivers a scathing critique of societal glorification of war, focusing on its physical horrors. Together, these poems reveal the multifaceted human cost of war.

Summary of the Poems

The Target by Ivor Gurney

The Target is an introspective monologue in which a soldier reflects on the emotional burden of killing an enemy. The speaker grapples with guilt and questions the morality of his actions, pondering the life and family of the person he has killed. Gurney’s poem emphasizes the shared humanity between combatants and highlights the psychological toll of war. The tone is reflective and filled with regret, showcasing the inner conflict between duty and conscience.

Dulce et Decorum Est by Wilfred Owen

Owen’s Dulce et Decorum Est vividly describes the physical suffering of soldiers on the battlefield, focusing on a gas attack. Through graphic imagery, Owen conveys the chaos, pain, and dehumanization of war. The poem culminates in a direct critique of the phrase "Dulce et decorum est pro patria mori" ("It is sweet and fitting to die for one’s country"), condemning the propaganda that glorifies war. Owen’s tone is bitter and accusatory, aiming to dismantle the patriotic myths perpetuated by those removed from the realities of combat.

Similarities

• Anti-War Sentiment

Both poems critique war by exposing its brutal realities and stripping away its romanticized image. In The Target, Gurney conveys the psychological scars of killing, suggesting that war corrupts morality and diminishes the human spirit. In Dulce et Decorum Est, Owen condemns the glorification of war by vividly depicting the suffering of soldiers and the physical horrors they endure. Both poets reveal war as a dehumanizing experience.

• Focus on the Soldier’s Perspective

Both poems center the experiences of individual soldiers, humanizing them rather than portraying them as symbols of patriotic valor. Gurney’s soldier reflects on his personal guilt and moral ambiguity, presenting an intimate portrayal of the emotional aftermath of combat. Owen’s focus on a specific gas attack immerses readers in the soldiers’ physical suffering, creating a visceral sense of their pain.

•  Realism

Both poets employ realism to convey the brutality of war. Gurney uses plain language and a conversational tone, capturing the soldier’s raw emotional state. Owen employs graphic imagery and sensory detail, forcing readers to confront the grotesque physical consequences of war.

Differences

• Tone and Perspective

The Target is introspective and reflective, with the soldier questioning the morality of his actions and the human cost of war. The tone is regretful and subdued, focusing on the psychological burdens of combat. Dulce et Decorum Est is confrontational and accusatory, targeting those who perpetuate the glorification of war. Owen’s tone is bitter, using anger to emphasize the deceit of patriotic propaganda.

•  Focus on Psychological vs. Physical Horror

Gurney examines the psychological toll of killing, exploring guilt, remorse, and the soldier’s struggle with his conscience. Owen emphasizes the physical horrors of war, graphically depicting the effects of a gas attack and the bodily suffering of soldiers.

• Structural and Stylistic Differences

The Target has a simple structure and conversational tone, mirroring the soldier’s internal monologue. Its minimal imagery focuses attention on the speaker’s emotional turmoil. Dulce et Decorum Est employs rich, graphic imagery and sophisticated poetic techniques, such as half-rhyme and enjambment, to create a jarring, visceral effect.

• Critique of Authority

Owen explicitly critiques propagandists and authority figures who perpetuate the myth of war’s nobility. His indictment of the “old Lie” directly challenges societal norms. Gurney’s critique is more implicit, focusing on the personal costs of war without addressing societal or political systems directly.

Conclusion

Both The Target and Dulce et Decorum Est highlight the devastating impact of war, yet they approach the subject from different angles. Gurney offers a deeply personal and reflective perspective on the moral and psychological burdens of combat, while Owen uses vivid imagery and biting rhetoric to condemn the glorification of war. Together, these poems present a powerful testament to the human cost of conflict, challenging readers to reconsider their perceptions of war and its consequences.

Here are some videos on life of the three war poets mentioned above, for better understanding about poets and their writings.