Dulce Et Decorum Est
Reality "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 main elements that influenced my reaction
The image of the troops "drunk with fatigue" and deaf to the "gas-shells dropping softly behind" is a chilling image (610). Each of these images are disturbing to thin!k about, but exposes the reality of war. The most effective metaphor is the "vile, incurable sores" that the author compares to the troop's memories. The author ties this poem together in the last line. In the first line the author describes the troops as being "Bent doubled like beggars under sacks"(610). Even though I recognize deadly gasses are generally not used in war anymore, I will never react the same to the billboards or commercials saying, " Be all you can be in the Army". The author's use of dictation was extremely effective in convincing me of just tragic and pointless war is. The most powerful simile is when the author compares the sound of the gassed man gurgling blood in is lungs as "obscene as cancer" (610). In addition to dictation, the author's use of metaphor and similes also influenced my reaction to the poem. ------------------------------------------------------------------------**Bibliography**. In Latin, the phrase "Dulce et decorum est" means "It is sweet and fitting to die for one's country"(610). Through the precise dictation, I could clearly understand what the author is saying. These images made me feel disgusted at what war is capable of. Other words like "writhing" and "froth-corrupted" made me understand just how tragic war is.
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