War Poetry
We meet many "faces" of war in different parts of The Shoehorn Sonata. Before choosing a poem, think about what perspective of war the play reveals to you:
Choosing a poem that is either very similar or very different to the perspective in The Shoehorn Sonata makes essays easier.
- the heroism of individual soldiers
- the glory of fighting for one's country
- the strength of a community
- the tragedy of wasted lives
- the fact we're all equal in death
- the sacrifice of an individual
- the feeling of sisterhood
- the abuse of power
- the effect of war on society
Choosing a poem that is either very similar or very different to the perspective in The Shoehorn Sonata makes essays easier.
Links to Poems - links coming!
Many famous war poems were written during the nineteenth century or during WWI. These poems often present war from a heroic perspective - glorious young soldiers going out to sacrifice themselves for their country. This was the socially acceptable viewpoint and not many writers dared to take a different perspective. Wilfred Owen's poems are unusual because they show both the heroism and tragedy of war. He is probably the most famous war poet in the English language.
Poets from this era use powerful adjectives and often reference biblical or classical (ancient Greek or Roman) metaphors and symbols. They also use complicated rhythm and rhyme schemes (and alliteration/assonance) to communicate the courage of these valiant soldiers through aural imagery.
Poems about heroic soldiers:
- John McCrae: In Flander's Fields
- Wilfred Owen: Apologia pro poemate meo
Poems that highlight the futility of war
- H. Smalley Sarson: The Shell (scroll down - a long way down)
- Siegfred Sassoon: Glory of Women (also has some journalistic extracts)
- Wilfred Owen: Anthem for Doomed Youth
- Wilfred Owen: Dulce et decorum est
- Henry Wadsworth Longfellow: The arsenal at Springfield
- Arthur Graeme West: God, how I hate you, you young cheerful men
Poems that highlight the relationship between enemies:
- Wilfred Owen: Strange Meeting
- Keith Douglas: Vergismichnicht
- Walt Whitman: Reconciliation
- Ambrose Bierce: To E. S. Salomon
Poem that highlight the poet's reaction to war
- Henry Lamont Simpson: Last Song (Scroll down)
Modern poems are likely to take a more realistic view of the tragedy and waste of war. These poems often use free verse (no complicated rhyme or rhythm) and create powerful images through the repetition of apparently-simple words and images. Most poems from this era address a particular war such as the Vietnam war or the Cambodian Killing Fields. They may also use techniques such as irony and satire.
- Stephen Crane: Do not weep maiden, for war is kind (juxtaposes 2 views)
- Denise Levertoc: She is weeping for her lost right arm
- Bruce Dawe: Homecoming
- Bruce Dawe: Weapons Training