st THE VIEW OF WAR IN THE POETRY OF THE 1 ARAM WASMAN OMAR WORLD WAR MA. English Literature & Language College of Basic Education Department of English University of Raparin aramwasmanbyara@gmail.com 00964-7701371284 doi: 10.23918/vesal2017.a2 Abstract This particular essay entitled, The View of War in the Poetry of the First World War, the researcher (learner) attempted to make an in-depth as well as extensive study in understanding the scenario of Europe during the First world war and the ways by which the British and Irish poets pen down the experiences of the young individuals and their family members when they had go at the front war. In fact, the thesis statement for this piecework was to find out the viewpoint that people had in regards to war, especially in context to war poetry and whether any transformations occurred in the previous concepts of wars. Works of many famous poets had been taken into consideration, such as those like Wilfred Owen, Siegfried Sassoon, Issac Rosenberg, Charles Sorley, Ivory Gurney. Nonetheless, the works of certain women poets like Marjorie Wilson and Margaret Postgate Cole at the time of First World War, had also been studied to understand the emotions of the women left at homes and the ways they used to view war. Keywords: Anger at war, Children at war, Futility of war, Theme of wounded, The Era of War Glorification and Viewing war. - 24 -
Introduction Down the ages, poets had chosen war as one of the major topic, which aimed to affect the sentiments and emotions of people. For instance, Lord Tennyson in his The Charge of the Light Brigade penned down about the occurrence of the disastrous Crimean War (1854), which undoubtedly exemplified Victorian values. In such kind of poems, war was symbolised as a necessary action for the welfare of the state, thereby highlighting the glamour of bravery participating in the war. Their s not reason why, Their s but to do and die: Into the valley of Death Rode the six hundred (Wright, 2011) Researches done by Strachan (2010) indicated that war poetry circumscribed a wide range of poems such as those, written at the time of the First World War, which were found to have a massive impact on the handful of poets or the poems that the poets had written, thereby concentrating on the subject of war came up during that time. People during the First World War had not only witnessed a drastic change in the political scenario but also a great transformation in the English poetry. It stands out as evident that, in early times, mostly the major poets used to write down poetry on war, thereby visualizing glorifying the act of war (McCrae, 2012). Nonetheless, it was also found during World War I that, even the young soldiers who used to be there at the front had penned down their experiences and feelings in the form of poetry. Literature Review This particular section points out the way buy which literature have not been able to exclude itself from the emotional agony and tragedy that has affected the people at large. - 25 -
The Era of War Glorification Investigations done by Connor (2011) revealed that earlier poets used to consider war necessary in order to protect a nation as well as help it in becoming the best across the globe. In fact, the leaders during that time used to glorify war, thereby influencing the mass wither oratory speeches, as well as stating that people need to fight for their nation and even give up their lives if required. Moreover, poets like John McCrae and Rupert Brooke were found to support this view, thereby glorifying war through their poetry and revealing that the services that the soldiers provide were a part of a just and noble cause. Most of the poems by Rupert Brooke focussed on highlighting patriotism along with urging to the readers as well as soldiers to show enthusiasm towards fighting wars in favour of the nation and the king. In fact, as Bristow (2014) indicated, Robert Brooke had been the sole poet who had highlighted the extent of sacrifice of the soldiers largely, thereby referring it to a just cause. Even though devastation, grief and death ruled as the vital themes of war poetry, nonetheless, poets like Rupert Brooke and John McCrae added on in their poetry the theme of nationality and sentimentality. As Howarth (2006) points out in his study, during the time of World War, Rupert Brooke in his poem, The Soldier used to manifest the horrors of war within a paradigm of romanticism and sentimentality. The voice in this poem, in fact describes his untimely death as an act of patriotism in favour of the country. He moreover, adds on that the land where was supposed to be buried will definitely have some corner belonging to England forever (because he as an Englishman would be buried there). John McCrae even views war as a glorifying activity in favour of the nation. It was through his poems such as In Flanders Fields, McCrae not only accounted the spring battles that took place in the Ypres but also the emotions and sentiments attached to it. He seemed to stir the sentiments of the soldiers as well as their family members while viewing war (Bloom, 2003). He mentioned that amidst the war situation, the poppies continued to blow even the soldiers are found to hide in between the row on row ; even the larks flew high bravely and sang although they know that the mouths of the guns are targeted high. McCrae s usage of the image of poppies in the field certainly - 26 -
showcased the beauty of nature, which existed even during the war (Crang, 2006). It is to be noted that certain bloodiest battles took place during the time of First World War at Picardy and Flanders and in fact, McCrae had been a part of the trench near Flanders, thereby experiencing the every aspect of the Second Battle of Ypres. This undoubtedly helped McCrae to produce a contrast between the liveliness of nature and the sombreness of death that the soldiers had experienced while being at the front at Ypres. In fact, later in his poetry, Brooke mentioned that since the soldiers had given up their lives in fighting for the country therefore the poppies were to be the symbol of their sacrifice and remembrance for their bravely acts and their contributions (Laskowski, 1994). Siegfried Sassoon too in his poems written in his initial days used to focus on glorifying death. It is to be noted that Sassoon served his country at the front because of which he used to glorify the actions. During his early, he had the vigour in himself, which made him believe that one should give up his life for the country whenever required without even thinking twice. However, within the gradual passage of time and the experience that he gained, he ultimately realized the fragility of the concept of war glorification. In fact, researches done by de S. Pinto and Thorpe (1968) point out that Siegfried Sassoon was one of the innocent war poet because at his initial days with full of vitality and chivalry, he portrayed a different image of war in his poetry, thereby favouring war. Nonetheless, he realized that it was of no use. Hence, his later poems proved the transformation that occurred in his thinking abilities. It is then that he illustrated in his poems, the horrors of the trenches as well as the pretensions that people usually do in the name of nationalism and patriotism. The Old Huntsman is one of the famous poems of Sassoon. Thus, it is to be noted that the view of war totally changes in the eyes of Sassoon from a necessity and glorified actions for the country to a pointless action. In fact, he also stated in his poems later that, it is the pretentious nationalism, which led to the occurrence of jingoism-fuelled war (Sassoon, 1961). - 27 -
Children at war Most of the poems penned down during the War, revealed the fact the war has pulled out the children from their homes, who used to be under the care and protection of their parents. Male teenagers of about 14 years or more had to enlist their names for participating in the war (First World War Poetry Digital Archive. 2010). Undoubtedly, it was shocking to know that the teenagers happily and eagerly enlisted their names, without knowing the decision of the cruel fate. In fact, WilfredOwen in his famous poem Disabled, pointed out that at the young age, when the boys used to play football, they decided to go to join the army. They did not know the exact reason as to why they need to do so. While some said they would look like a god in kilts others said to please his Meg (Penny, 2011). In fact, Sassoon too, by this time realized the involvement of the young and immature boys in the army, thereby mentioning about a simple soldier boy in Suicide in the Trenches, who smiled at life in empty joy and went about whistling with the lark who had to spend his young adult period at the trench in winter without rum (Purkis et al. 1999). Nonetheless, the war poems can also be viewed as poems of separation from the loved ones. Different romantic relationships that the war poems demonstrate ultimately were destined to the temporary separation for going to the battlefield and then to permanent parting due to death. For instance, Marian Allen s The Wind on the Downs clearly manifested the pain that the family members feel on the loss of their near and dear ones at the front. It was undoubtedly the futility of war, which deliberately and aggressively separated two lovers, Marian Allen and her fiancé Arthur first on a temporary basis by calling him at the front, which ultimately led to his death and permanent separation (Waterlines.org.uk, 2014). Moreover, the young teenagers being pulled to the battlefield by emotional and patriotic manipulation often felt that their masculinity had been challenged while staying at the trench. Months after months and years after years, they had to wait at the front (although being alert) without doing much physical work as such. Thus, many soldiers at this point of time viewed war to be an adverse force, which transformed their working nature into feminine (Mahmud, 2009). On the contrary, it is to be noted that - 28 -
the women played the role of the head of the family thereby nurturing the children and looking after the family. Nonetheless, there had been quite a few women poets at the time also who viewed war to be the snatcher of their near and dear ones. Women poets like Margaret Postgate Cole in her poem The Falling Leaves, presented an artistic lament for the sacrifice of the entire youth population of Europe (Connor, 2011). In fact, it is to be noted that even if the men returned they were either terribly injured or suffered from leprosy. Theme of Wounded, Disablement and Death It is to be noted that in the early war poetry, death was pictured as the biggest achievement if anyone died while fighting for his country. In fact, it had a metaphoric identity and was considered in relation to heroic and noble terms. As for example, Rupert Brooke in his work, The Dead, labelled death at the battlefield to be shining peace. Moreover, women poets like Marjorie Wilson in her poem To Tony {Aged 3}, creatively manifested the emotions of the mothers when they told their children that their fathers had died while fighting in wars so that they can lead their lives in peace (Bristow, 2014). Nonetheless, it is to be noted that an irony lied under such explanations because peace cannot be guaranteed to them even though the children had lost their fathers fighting for it. Thus, it was obvious that war can be futile since the fathers had died fighting and the male children possibly had the same fate. Anger at the Horror of War As days passed on, the soldiers realized that it became difficult for them to continue to be a part of the deadly war, since it had neither any possibility to end nor to set free the soldiers. Researches done by Sergeant (1954) point out that many of the young soldiers unable to handle the horror of their everyday lives at the front, which often made them witness the death of their friends being killed in front of them used to commit suicide by shooting themselves. Poems like Suicide in the Trench and S.I.W. - 29 -
by Sassoon and Owen respectively demonstrated such situations, where the soldiers used to commit suicide in order to get rid of their own frustrated lives amidst the continuous bombardment and loss of the lives of friends. In fact, such actions of suicide undoubtedly made the war poets display the anger that they have on the horrifying activities of war. War at this point of time had been viewed as a taker of life. Poets like Wilfred Owen and Isac Rosenburg along with Charles Sorley and Ivor Gurney, put forward that death is inevitable and war certainly justified it (Fussell, 2012). It is either that the young adults would die while fighting at the front or by becoming frustrated and killing themselves. In fact an in-depth study of Owen s Disabled showcased that the soldiers ultimately developed a sense of hatred towards their seniors as well as the concept of war instead of their supposed enemy, i.e. the opposition party (Connor, 2011). Change in the Attitude for viewing war With the gradual passage of time and heavy loss of human resources, financial resources and property, a change in the attitude among the people in regards to the acceptance of the war was noticed. At the initial stage, people viewed war in a much high-spirited manner and patriotic approach. In fact, as mentioned earlier, the teenagers of around 16 years used to enlist their names agreeing for the war (Saks, 2007). However, the high amounts of injuries and death tolls had built a sense of fear among the people. A notable transformation in their attitude was evident where they no longer showed interest in going to the front. In fact, the poems written by certain poets like Owen, too revealed the futility of war because there cannot be an end to aggression and conquer. It is important to mention that war should never be glorified because it takes away the lives of people at large no matter for whatever reasons. Later poets revealed that it is indeed, significant to realize that the lives of people stand out as more important than the reputation of the nation. Moreover, as Connor (2011) puts forward that, the realization that war is futile has led to such a drastic change that people started suffering from shell shock. Some were found to get themselves hurt - 30 -
purposively so that they could be returned back to home because they \were aware of the fact that penalties as against disapproval to fight or desertion were terribly high. Futility of war Ultimately, the change in the attitude of the people regarding their viewpoints towards war became negative since they realized the futility of war. In fact, Wilfred Owen at this point introduced the concept of Dulce et Decorum est, in accordance to which war stood to be neither noble nor honourable enough even if it stressed in favour of the nation; rather it led to tragedy, wastage and futility of individuals lives. He, thus, showcased an entirely different picture of war from its predecessors. Most of Owen s poems demonstrated that the futile nature of war and that there is not at all any importance of war, since it goes against humanity. Wilfred Owen, in his poem Strange Meeting, beautifully portrayed the way by which two soldiers appropriately fought bravely for their respective armies but nonetheless, they do die at the front and that they experienced a travel through a tunnel, which was actually a passage because life and death (Plantos et al. 1997). Owen artistically had put forward a conversation between the two soldiers, when they realize that both of them had fought their countries respectively and had hostile approaches towards each other even though they did not share any enmity personally. Thus, it helped the readers to realize that war is so futile because it develop problems between different people who are not even involved otherwise. In fact, Sassoon s later poem like Suicide in the Trench, presented the story of a young boy who gave up his life fighting for the country but once he was dead; no one spoke of him again (Connor, 2011). Moreover, even in his poem Does it Matter, Sassoon satirised the condition of those people who had become seriously injured in the First World War. It is to be noted that even though he moved on to say that it hardly mattered for the soldiers to lose any of their body parts as they would receive respect - 31 -
from the countrymen; yet was obvious that they could neither be a part of the war any longer nor can they earn any livelihood. Moreover, they would become burden on their family (Saks, 2007). Theme of Shell Shock also seemed to be quite prominent among the soldiers since they feared that death would reach them any moment. It was considered as a post-war traumatic disorder. Owen stood to be one of the biggest examples of those people who lost their lives die to the shell shock because of the destructive war. Conclusion On the completion of this essay, readers can undoubtedly realize that the concept and the picture of war that people developed into their minds in the initial days of the outbreak of the First World War had ultimately faced a transformation. At the beginning, the soldiers used to be in full energy and vigour in enlisting their names for the war and being a part of it. Moreover, even their family members took pride in the fact that their young sons or members became part of the glorified action, which would bring peace and liberty to their nation. Nonetheless, everyone realized that war can never be the solution to any problem except for the fact that it could only lead to death. Thus, gradually the war poets had degraded war to a position of life taker and futile action. Poets like Isac Rosenburg, Charles Sorley, Ivor Gurney, Siegfried Sassoon and Wilfred Owen have proved it in their works. Reference List: Bloom, H. (2003). Poets of World War I. Philadelphia: Chelsea House. Bristow, J. (2014). Rupert Brooke s Poetic Deaths. ELH, 81(2), pp. 663-692. doi:10.1353/elh.2014.0021 Connor, J. (2011). Untold war: new perspectives in First World War Studies. First World War Studies, 2(2), pp. 258-260. doi:10.1080/19475020.2011.613253-32 -
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