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
Objectives and Key Themes
This term paper analyzes Wilfred Owen's "Dulce et Decorum Est," exploring how symbolic elements depict the horrors of World War I. The paper aims to demonstrate Owen's use of French Symbolism to portray the war experience as nightmarish and unreal, contrasting the patriotic sentiment of "it is sweet and noble to die for one's country" with the brutal reality.
- Symbolism in Modernist War Poetry
- Wilfred Owen's Life and Influences on his Writing
- Symbolic Analysis of "Dulce et Decorum Est"
- Comparison of Owen's Style with Traditional Symbolic Poetry
- The Impact of World War I on Modernist Literature
Chapter Summaries
1. Introduction: This introductory chapter establishes the context of World War I and its impact on literature, specifically focusing on the rise of Modernist war poetry. It highlights the unique characteristics of war poetry, emphasizing the emotional intensity and historical context crucial to its interpretation. The chapter introduces Wilfred Owen as a pivotal figure in war poetry and outlines the paper's central objective: to analyze the symbolic elements in "Dulce et Decorum Est" to reveal Owen's depiction of the war's brutal reality. The introduction lays the groundwork for subsequent chapters by highlighting the context and purpose of the analysis.
2. Symbolism in Modern poetry: This chapter delves into the origins and characteristics of the Symbolist movement in late 19th and early 20th-century France. It clarifies that Symbolism, while rooted in Romanticism, differs significantly by its focus on abstract sensations and subjective interpretations. The chapter explains how Symbolism moves beyond literal representation to evoke emotional experiences through suggestive imagery and associations, creating a multi-layered reading experience dependent on the reader's individual perspective. This sets the stage for understanding Owen's use of symbolism in the following analysis.
3. Wilfred Owen: important impacts on his writing: This chapter explores the key influences shaping Wilfred Owen's writing. It details his early passion for poetry, despite his inability to attend university due to financial constraints. His complex relationship with religion, marked by both devoutness and critical dissent towards the Church's failings, is discussed. Crucially, the chapter highlights Owen's immersion in French culture and language, particularly his time teaching English in Bordeaux, which significantly broadened his intellectual horizons and undoubtedly influenced his poetic style and the adoption of symbolist techniques. This biographical information provides vital context for understanding the artistic choices made in his poetry.
Keywords
Wilfred Owen, Dulce et Decorum Est, Symbolism, Modernist Poetry, War Poetry, World War I, Anti-war Poetry, French Symbolism, Imagery, Metaphor, Emotional Impact, Reader Response.
Frequently Asked Questions: Analysis of Wilfred Owen's "Dulce et Decorum Est"
What is the main topic of this academic paper?
This paper analyzes Wilfred Owen's poem "Dulce et Decorum Est," focusing on how symbolic elements depict the horrors of World War I. It explores how Owen uses symbolism to contrast the patriotic idealization of war with its brutal reality.
What are the key themes explored in the paper?
Key themes include Symbolism in Modernist War Poetry, Wilfred Owen's life and influences, symbolic analysis of "Dulce et Decorum Est," a comparison of Owen's style with traditional symbolic poetry, and the impact of World War I on Modernist literature.
What is the structure of the paper?
The paper is structured into six chapters: an introduction establishing context and objectives; a chapter on Symbolism in Modern poetry; a chapter on Wilfred Owen's life and influences; a detailed analysis of symbolic elements in "Dulce et Decorum Est," broken down into sub-sections focusing on specific symbols; a chapter summarizing the symbolic language used in the poem; and a concluding chapter comparing Owen's style to that of typical symbolic poetry. A table of contents, objectives and key themes, chapter summaries, and keywords are also provided.
How does the paper analyze "Dulce et Decorum Est"?
The analysis focuses on the poem's symbolic language, examining specific symbols like the "green sea," "dream," "hags," and "devil" to show how Owen creates a nightmarish and unreal portrayal of war, contrasting the idealized notion of patriotic sacrifice with the horrific reality experienced by soldiers.
What is the significance of French Symbolism in Owen's work?
The paper highlights Owen's immersion in French culture and language, particularly his time teaching in Bordeaux, as a significant influence on his poetic style and his adoption of Symbolist techniques. The chapter on Symbolism in Modern poetry explains the characteristics of the Symbolist movement and how it differs from Romanticism, providing a framework for understanding Owen's use of symbolism.
What are the key influences on Wilfred Owen's writing?
The paper explores several key influences: his early passion for poetry, his complex relationship with religion, and importantly, his immersion in French culture and language, which significantly shaped his poetic style and use of symbolist techniques.
What are the key takeaways from the paper?
The paper demonstrates how Wilfred Owen effectively employed symbolic language to portray the devastating realities of World War I, challenging the romanticized notions of war and offering a powerful anti-war message. It highlights the importance of understanding the historical and cultural context, as well as the author's biographical background, for a complete interpretation of his work.
What are the keywords associated with this paper?
Keywords include: Wilfred Owen, Dulce et Decorum Est, Symbolism, Modernist Poetry, War Poetry, World War I, Anti-war Poetry, French Symbolism, Imagery, Metaphor, Emotional Impact, and Reader Response.
- Quote paper
- Anonym (Author), 2019, An analysis of symbolic elements in the war poem “Dulce et Decorum est” by Wilfred Owen, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/986253
