Exposure

Question 1

Narrative

Answer 1

Exposure is about what life was like in the trenches during the First World War. By describing the terrible natural conditions under which the soldiers lived and died, Owen highlights some of the less considered issues of war: the boredom, the ongoing suffering and the sense of hopelessness.

Question 2

Structure

Answer 2

The poem is structured as a series of eight stanzas. of five lines. The last line of each stanza is noticeably shorter and indented which emphasises its importance. It is also part of the more general disruption of the rhythmic structure which uses hexameters.

Question 3

Context

Answer 3

The poem was written in 1917 whilst Owen was fighting in the trenches which creates an authentic first person narrative as the poem was written by an actual soldier in the midst of conflict.

Question 4

Form

Answer 4

The poem is structured as a series of eight stanzas. of five lines.

Question 5

Language Techniques

Answer 5

Owen’s skilful use of alliteration. and assonance close assonanceThe repetition of vowel sounds in a series of two or more words.