loss of innocence Flashcards
overview
In “Dulce et Decorum Est” by Wilfred Owen, the theme of loss of innocence is shown through the harsh realities of war. The soldiers are described as exhausted and broken, no longer youthful or full of life. The poem describes a gas attack, where one soldier struggles to put on his mask but ultimately dies from the poison gas. This moment highlights how war strips soldiers of their innocence. The vivid imagery of death and suffering in the poem reveals the brutal truth of war, challenging the idea that it’s honorable to die for your country. Owen shows that war takes away innocence, leaving only pain and suffering.
“knock-kneed, coughing like hags”
In the line “knock-kneed, coughing like hags” from Dulce et Decorum Est, the poet shows how the soldiers have lost their innocence by describing them in a way that strips them of their youthful image. The phrase “knock-kneed” suggests that the soldiers are weak and unsteady, as if they’re physically broken by the war. Normally, young soldiers would be expected to be strong and confident, but here they are presented as vulnerable and frail, which shows how war has taken away their energy and youthful spirit. The comparison to “coughing like hags” also highlights the loss of innocence. A “hag” is an old, sickly woman, and by comparing the soldiers to hags, Owen emphasizes how the war has aged them prematurely. Instead of being full of life and hope, they’ve become worn out and sick. This is a big contrast to the image of youthful soldiers fighting for honor and glory, showing how war has robbed them of their innocence and turned them into something completely different—exhausted, vulnerable, and desperate.
“flound’ring like a man in fire or lime,”
In the second stanza of Dulce et Decorum Est, Wilfred Owen powerfully conveys the theme of the loss of innocence through stark and disturbing imagery. The soldier is described as “flound’ring like a man in fire or lime,” using a simile that highlights his desperate, uncontrollable movements, symbolizing the intense suffering and loss of dignity in war. The image of him “drowning” in the “green sea” further emphasizes the horrifying reality of war, where the soldier is consumed by poison gas, contrasting with the idealized view of a noble death. Owen’s use of personification, with the soldier still “yelling out,” conveys his prolonged agony and the brutal, dehumanizing effects of war. This vivid portrayal of pain and disillusionment reflects how war strips soldiers of their innocence, leaving them far from the heroic figures glorified in propaganda. Through these techniques, Owen critiques the glorification of war and underscores the tragic loss of innocence that soldiers endure.
The old Lie: Dulce et decorum est”
In the poem Dulce et Decorum Est by Wilfred Owen, the phrase “The old Lie: Dulce et decorum est” shows the loss of innocence by challenging the idea that it is sweet and honorable to die for your country. This phrase is the final line of the poem, and it’s directed at the older generation that encourages young soldiers to fight and die in war. Owen calls it a “lie” because he reveals the harsh, ugly reality of war that shatters the innocence of those who believe in its glory. when Owen says “The old Lie,” it highlights the juxtaposition between what soldiers are told about the glory of war and what they experience. This gap is where the loss of innocence occurs. The soldiers are innocent at first, perhaps believing the lie that war is honorable, but once they see the brutal truth, that innocence is gone forever.
context
Dulce et Decorum Est was written during World War I, a time when many young soldiers were taught that it was noble to die for their country, symbolized by the phrase Dulce et decorum est pro patria mori. However, Wilfred Owen challenges this ideal by describing the horrific reality of war. The soldiers in the poem are portrayed as broken and suffering, with images of them being bent over and exhausted, showing how war strips them of their youth and innocence. The brutal description of a gas attack and the death of a soldier emphasizes the loss of innocence as soldiers realize the painful truth that war is far from glorious. The phrase “The old Lie” exposes the misguided notion of war’s honor, revealing how the soldiers’ beliefs are shattered by the harsh reality they face.
structure
In Dulce et Decorum Est, Wilfred Owen uses the structure and form of the poem to show how war leads to the loss of innocence. The poem begins with a steady, almost conversational rhythm, reflecting the soldiers’ routine, but this changes dramatically during the gas attack. The chaotic rhythm during the description of the attack mirrors the soldiers’ shock and confusion, emphasizing how their innocence is shattered in an instant. The vivid and brutal imagery, such as the description of a soldier being thrown into a wagon, the corruption of his lungs, and the blood gurgling from his mouth, portrays the violence and horror of war, further showing the loss of innocence. In the final stanza, Owen directly challenges the idea that it is honorable to die for one’s country, exposing the lie behind the glorification of war. Overall, the form and structure highlight how war strips away the soldiers’ innocence, leaving them broken and scarred.
conclusion
In conclusion, Dulce et Decorum Est by Wilfred Owen demonstrates the loss of innocence through its vivid and harsh portrayal of war. The soldiers in the poem start out as young and hopeful, but the brutal realities of battle strip away their innocence. The graphic imagery, like the description of a soldier dying from a gas attack, shows how war shatters their youthful ideals and dreams. Owen’s use of language paints a picture of how war ages and corrupts these young men. Ultimately, the poem exposes the cruel truth that war is not the heroic adventure that the phrase Dulce et decorum est pro patria mori suggests, but instead, it’s a tragic loss of innocence.
