Dulce et Decorum Est Flashcards
what does The opening image of the soldiers, “Bent double”, “coughing like hags”, suggest
suggests they have been physically broken by war. They are exhausted and dirty - they “trudge”, they march “asleep” and they are “drunk with fatigue”
what does the use of the exclamation mark and capitalisation in “Gas! GAS! Quick, boys!” suggest
suggests the urgency and fear of the impending gas attack
what does the stand-alone stanza, together with the verbs “guttering, choking, drowning” reinforce
the horror of the soldier caught in the attack. The verb “drowning” also suggests the impenetrability of
the gas and how it is invading his lungs AT
what does the The repetition of “dreams” emphasise
emphasises how war has infiltrated his sleep, how he can never have peace, not even when he is sleeping
what do the Final words – “the old Lie”, allow
Owen to highlight how war is not honourable or glorious, but cruel, degrading, dirty and horrifying
when was wilfred owen killed? what war?
Wilfred Owen was killed in action on 4 November 1918 exactly one week (almost to the hour)
before the signing of the Armistice, which ended the First World War.
how did his mum know he died and on what day
His mother received the telegram informing her of his death on Armistice Day, as the church bells
were ringing out in celebration.
why does the first stanza have a slow turgid pace and what is the affect
due to the first sentence layering clause on top of clause. This creates a turgid tone, reflecting the soldiers’ feeling that the march will never end.
the second stanza is fast paced through one word sentences and exclamation marks. what does this reflect
This reflects the sense of panic as the gas attack unfolds.
why does the pace slow again in the final stanza
The pace slows again in the final stanza to reflect the feeling that war is never ending
what are the 3 poems and themes this poem can be compared to
Impact of war – Mametz Wood, The Manhunt
Patriotism – The Soldier
