Dulce et Decorum Est1
"Dulce et Decorum Est," an anti-war poem by Wilfred Owen, ( ) conveys a strong meaning and persuasive argument. The anti-war theme and serious tone is extremely effective at portraying war as horrid and devastating. Upon my initial reading of this poem I felt overpowered by blood, guts and death. Although my reaction hasn't changed much through numerous readings, my emotional reaction becomes more intense with each reading. This poem makes me feel like I am right there watching the soldier who cannot fasten his mask fast enough and suffers the full effects of deadly gas. This poem also makes me look beyond the death and question the pain inflicted on the mothers who kissed their sons goodbye as they went to defend their country. I imagine the mother receiving word her son has died and is told how noble and patriotic his death was. In his last moments, the soldier and his family become victims of "The old lie" (610). The precise dictation, vivid comparisons and graphic imagery are the three major elements that influenced my reaction
In the first line the author describes the troops as being "Bent double, like beggars under sacks"(610). As someone yells "Gas" it is an "ecstasy of fumbling" and one is still "flound'ring like a man on fire" (610). In Latin, the phrase "Dulce et decorum est" means "It is sweet and fitting to die for one's country"(610). Each of these images are disturbing to think about, but exposes the reality of war. This metaphor illustrates how the troops will never forget this experience. The fact that the gassed man was "flung" into the wagon convinced me that it is not "sweet" nor "fitting to die for one's country" (610). In addition to dictation, the author's use of metaphor and similes also influenced my reaction to this poem. The author calls the phrase "the big lie" (610). Words like "guttering", "choking", and "drowning" jumped out at me and made my body shiver (610). My emotional and physical reaction reinforces how effective the author's use of imagery is in this poem. The author ties this poem together in the last line. This simile expresses the condition of the men and reinforces the hopelessness they feel. Some of the images in this poem nearly made me feel nauseas. Other words like "writhing" and "froth-corrupted" made me understand just how tragic war is.
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