Exposure Flashcards
in the merciless
in the merciless iced winds that knive us
personification of wind presents it as an inescapable enemy, exemplifying its power over man.
sibilance portrays the sinister experience the soldiers went through, highlighting their struggle.
present continuous tense to reflect the length of their pain, presenting it as tortuous as it is long and everlasting.
Worried by silence…
Worried by silence, sentries whisper, curious, nervous,
asyndeton creates a sense of tersness that reflects the mood of the soldiers
sibilance mimicks the wind whistling in a cruel, harsh, and merciless way.
presenting the soldiers in non-chivalric way to fully emphasise the fact that they are human, increasing sympathy
What is the example of Refrain used in Exposure?
“But nothing happens”
Refrain to reiterate Owens belief that war is futile, criticising authority regarding war, poem could serve as an allegory
The phrase is also ironic; though the soldiers feel that nothing is happening in reality they are slowly but surely dying
Far off, like a dull
Far off, like a dull rumour of some other war.
Allusion to Matthew 24:6, reflects Owen’s previous religious beliefs as he questioned his faith as a result of suffering all over the world.
At this point, the soldiers are so weary and jaded by both the weather and war that they feel completely detached from it, hence the ‘dull rumour’.
Shutters and doors,
Shutters and doors, all closed; on us the doors are closed
- Soldiers are not welcomed home, compelled and expected to stay as soldiers until they die.
- Families have moved on with their lives, as they expect the soldiers to just die anyways
- “Us” binds the soldiers to each other, their new families. Anastrophe gives emphasis to the men.
- “closed” could refer to how their lives are over and have been “shut” unexpectedly on them
Context in Exposure (construct)
Furthermore, Owen was a Christian who, before the War, was intending to train for the priesthood. The requirement to kill was in conflict with God’s commandment not to kill. The poem could be read as a desperate appeal for peace to be negotiated by those in power.
Structure in Exposure
Eight quintains mirror the repetitive and never ending nature of war.
ABBAC rhyme scheme, reflects the monotony of war.
Refrain “But nothing changes”, creates an unsettling feeling, mimicking how destabilized the soldiers feel whilst they wait for the enemy to attack
First person narrative presents the pain as collective, allowing the reader to catharsise accordingly with the speaker
Effects of pararyhmes
Only rhyming between the consonants creates a feeling of uncertainty for the reader, reflecting the feelings of the soldiers
Context for Exposure
Grew up in the Church but felt that it was hypocritcal
Owen was shellshocked in hospital and chose to write about the truth and futility of war, rather than hiding his true emoitons
