Anthem for Doomed Youth Flashcards
Meaning
Owen laments the lack of recognition and honor that the soldiers receive in death.
Owen highlights the futility of the fight and undermines the propaganda that initially enticed men to join up, showing that war was systematic slaughter
Anthem for Doomed Youth
IRONY use of term, “anthem” JUXTAPOSES with “doomed”.
“Anthem” is a term of celebration, contrasting to the actions of the country who do not offer the respect the soldiers deserve.
“Doomed” expresses the inevitability of their death with, “Youth” highlighting the innocence of those dying
die as cattle?
SIMILE dehumanizes the soldiers and removes individual identity.
Bred to die and herded mindlessly by Generals. Routine, industrial slaughter
monstrous anger of the guns.
“monstrous” incites terror.
‘Anger’ - PERSONIFIES the guns whilst dehumanize humans. Devalues human life for the cost of warfare and bloodshed. Connotes hatred and conflicts ability to turn people against each other.
stuttering rifles’ rapid rattle
ONOMATOPOEIA, creates immersive AURAL IMAGERY - shocking sounds of war. ‘T’ sound
ALLITERATION increases pace - swiftness of soldiers lives as they pass before them. Builds tension
This sound drowns out “their hasty orisons” - “hasty” suggests lack of care and insincerity, emphasizing high frequency deaths.
ENJAMBEMENT, shows relentlessness of battle
save the choirs - the shrill, demented choirs of wailing shells
Aural IMAGERY where peace and religious tranquility is perverted - shows chaos and godlessness of warfare.
Connotations of ‘wailing’ and ‘demented’. Disorder and illogical nature of war. Brashness and perverted nature.
PARENTHESIS accentuates gap between normality and the current reality. Presents a false hope to the reader as no peace for soldiers
but in there eyes/ shall shine the holy glimmers of goodbyes
Only connection to God is through JUXTAPOSING “holy” to abandoned funeral rites.
Peaceful rites are corrupted - the flash of explosions or the flickering of their life replaces candle light of peace.
“shall shine” “glimmer of goodbyes” - soft, melancholic tone - sadness as there is a lack of respect and dignity in their death - no one to comfort them.
Structure 1
Both stanzas begin with RHETORICAL questions. Shows bitterness of Owen who struggles to fathom the dishonor towards these men.
Structure 2
Sonnet form structure used. Perverts typical love theme into elegy to lament the dead. Shows the destructive effects of war perverting all former peaceful elements such as romanticism.
Structure 3
Owen responds to his first question repeating ‘Only’ at the beginning of lines 2 and 3. This use of ANAPHORA emphasizes the absolute lack of care that is given to the soldiers as they die - tone of bitterness conveyed.
