This term paper focuses on the Modern war poem “Dulce et decorum est” by Wilfred Owen. Although the majority of his poems became popular after the Second World War, Owen is considered as one of most influential war poets of his times as he set the tone for an entire generation. This paper will show that Wilfred Owen wrote his poem under the influence of French symbolism. The main goal of this paper is to analyze how Owen used symbolic elements in his poem in order to picture the experience of the First World War as so extremely cruel that it does not seem real, but like a nightmare in which the speaker is trapped.
Table of Contents
1. Introduction
2. Symbolism in Modern poetry
3. Wilfred Owen: important impacts on his writing
4. Analysis of symbolic elements in “Dulce et decorum est”
4.1 The symbol of drowning in a “green sea”
4.2 The symbol of “dream”
4.3 The symbol of “hags”
4.4 The symbol of “devil”
5. The symbolic language in “Dulce et decorum est”
6. Differences between “Dulce et decorum est” and a typical symbolic poem
7. Conclusion
Research Objectives and Themes
The primary objective of this paper is to analyze how Wilfred Owen employs symbolic elements in his poem "Dulce et decorum est" to depict the experience of the First World War as an overwhelming, nightmarish reality. The study aims to demonstrate how these symbols, influenced by French symbolism, function to convey the cruelty of war to an audience that might otherwise be detached from the visceral trauma of the front lines.
- Influence of French symbolism on Wilfred Owen's literary style
- Use of symbolic elements to represent war-induced trauma
- The role of the reader in interpreting abstract war poetry
- Structural and thematic divergences from traditional symbolic poetry
- Analysis of specific symbols: "green sea," "dream," "hags," and "devil"
Excerpt from the Work
4.1 The symbol of drowning in a “green sea”
When the marching soldiers had been attacked by gas, one of them was not able to put on his gas mask on time and his lungs filled up with gas. The speaker watches him dying “as under a green sea” (v. 14). The fact that the scenery which the speaker watches looks like a green sea can be caused by the gas mask of the speaker as well as by the fog of the gas itself. The symbol of the green sea combined with the verb “drowning” at the end of this verse indicates that the soldier who was not able to put on his gas mask in time is dying in a cruel and painful way. The image of a human drowning in the sea evokes certain associations by the reader since nearly everyone who has ever had his or her head under water can imagine how it must feel to not reach enough oxygen by time. Through that, it becomes conceivable for the reader that the soldier in the poem is terrified and in panic because he is not able to breath. Whereas it could be difficult to imagine what it must feel like to become a victim of a gas attack for people who have never fought in the war. Furthermore, the speaker describes that he watches the other man dying through “misty panes and green light” which evokes a surreal atmosphere. For the speaker the scene appears blurry and fuzzy because of fog and dimmed light. Through that, the reader could get the idea that this scene is an imagination or a recollection of something the speaker experienced a while ago or heard of. At this point the described scene turns into a living nightmare and the reader probably gets the idea that the scene is a traumatic experience which is replayed again and again in the head of the speaker.
Summary of Chapters
1. Introduction: This chapter establishes the historical context of World War I and introduces the paper's focus on analyzing symbolic elements in Wilfred Owen’s poem.
2. Symbolism in Modern poetry: This section defines the symbolism movement, exploring its origins in France and how it serves as a bridge between Romanticism and Realism.
3. Wilfred Owen: important impacts on his writing: This chapter examines Owen’s early life, his religious doubts, and the profound influence of French culture and his war experiences on his poetic development.
4. Analysis of symbolic elements in “Dulce et decorum est”: This section investigates specific central symbols—drowning, dreams, hags, and the devil—to explain how they depict the soldier's suffering.
5. The symbolic language in “Dulce et decorum est”: This chapter discusses Owen's use of neologisms and onomatopoeia to create a sensory representation of the war's destructive nature.
6. Differences between “Dulce et decorum est” and a typical symbolic poem: This section contrasts Owen’s work with traditional symbolism, noting his clear anti-war message and structural deviations.
7. Conclusion: The concluding chapter synthesizes the arguments, reiterating that Owen effectively uses symbolism to force readers to confront the horrific, visceral reality of war.
Keywords
Wilfred Owen, Dulce et decorum est, Symbolism, World War I, War Poetry, Modernism, Trauma, Nightmare, Symbolic Language, Neologism, Onomatopoeia, Imagery, Literary Analysis, French Symbolism, Soldier.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the core focus of this academic paper?
The paper focuses on an analysis of symbolic elements in the poem "Dulce et decorum est" by Wilfred Owen, specifically looking at how these elements communicate the trauma of war.
What are the primary themes discussed in the analysis?
Central themes include the influence of French symbolism, the contrast between the reality of war and civilian perceptions, the nature of trauma, and the role of the reader.
What is the ultimate research objective of the author?
The goal is to analyze how Owen utilizes symbolic elements to portray the First World War as a "living nightmare," thereby forcing readers to recognize the horrific reality behind the war.
Which scientific or analytical method is applied?
The author uses a literary analysis approach, focusing on symbolism, structural form, and linguistic devices to interpret the meaning and effects of Owen's poetry.
What does the main body of the work cover?
The main body breaks down specific symbols (the green sea, dreams, hags, the devil), examines Owen’s unique symbolic language, and compares his work to traditional symbolic poetry.
Which keywords best describe this research?
Key terms include Wilfred Owen, World War I, Symbolism, War Poetry, Trauma, and Literary Analysis.
How does the author characterize the "green sea" symbol?
The author identifies the "green sea" as a representation of both the physical gas attack and the surreal, suffocating experience of a victim dying in a painful, uncontrollable way.
What is the significance of the "hags" symbol in the poem?
The author explains that comparing soldiers to "hags" contrasts the civilian perception of soldiers as strong, heroic men with the reality of war-worn, exhausted individuals, effectively challenging traditional gendered expectations.
- Arbeit zitieren
- Anonym (Autor:in), 2019, An analysis of symbolic elements in the war poem “Dulce et Decorum est” by Wilfred Owen, München, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/986253
