navwin » Archives » Critical Analysis #2 » help, please. dulce et decorum est
Critical Analysis #2
Post A Reply Post New Topic help, please. dulce et decorum est Go to Previous / Newer Topic Back to Topic List Go to Next / Older Topic
allisonk
New Member
since 2002-11-11
Posts 3


0 posted 2002-11-11 03:00 PM



Hello, All.
           I am not sure where to post this, so I am posting it here. Sorry.  I have to analyze the technical aspects used in the poem "Dulce et Decorum Est" by Wilfred Owen. I am quite clear on the literal significance of this poem, but was wondering if anyone could help me with the possible ways that the text promotes the message with technical tools?  Also, if there is any meaning beyond or below the literal surface? Thanks a lot for your time.

Allison

© Copyright 2002 allisonk - All Rights Reserved
hush
Senior Member
since 2001-05-27
Posts 1653
Ohio, USA
1 posted 2002-11-11 03:08 PM


This might get moved to one of the discussion forums, as it's not a poem.

If you could provide a link to the poem, that would be great.

allisonk
New Member
since 2002-11-11
Posts 3

2 posted 2002-11-11 03:14 PM


Here is the link:
http://www.cwrl.utexas.edu/~benjamin/316kfall/316ktexts/owendulce.html


Thanks.

Not A Poet
Member Elite
since 1999-11-03
Posts 3885
Oklahoma, USA
3 posted 2002-11-11 04:18 PM


Hi Allison,

Welcome to CA. As you suggested above, this may not be the best place for your question. This forum is for posting poetry. On the other hand, it probably is the best place to get a good critique.

If you would like to offer your own critique of the poem before asking others to offer theirs, then I believe this would  become a valid post for CA. In that case, I would like to leave it here. As I said, this is probably the best place for analysis. I think it might garner a few good points for you. But you need to start the ball rolling. After all, helping someone willing to do some work is a lot different than just doing the work for them.

Once again, welcome. I'm sure you will find this place enjoyable and informative.

Thanks,
Pete

allisonk
New Member
since 2002-11-11
Posts 3

4 posted 2002-11-11 04:38 PM


Well, I think the author uses very rich diction to convey the harsh reality of war, and to show his rejection to the idea of dying for one's country. "Dulce et Decorum est pro patria mori" means "It is sweet and proper to die for one's country".
It is not for the suffering that he undergoes that he rejects this idea of dying for one's country. Rather, I think it is dying without glory or recognition. I gather this when Owen uses the word "someone" instead of giving the soldier a name.  Also, when he uses the word "flung" when he describes how the living soldiers put the corpse into a wagon.  To me, Owen is suggesting that no soldier was given any personal merit for their bravery and sacrifices.  They each were just one of thousands who died for their country.
I am writing a paper on this paper, and would like to analyze this poem beyond it's literal surface. To give you some background, the author was a sixteen year old soldier that was killed in combat in World War I, though I am uncertain for which country he was fighting. Obviously, he wrote this poem while on the front.  

I look forward to hearing your all of your ideas!

Phaedrus
Member
since 2002-01-26
Posts 180

5 posted 2002-11-11 05:05 PM



Wilfred Owen was born in 1893 and died in action in 1918, he was an Infantry Officer in the British Army fighting in the trenches of W.W.I, during his military career he was awarded the Military Cross for bravery.

The poem in question is an ironic comment on a line written by the Latin poet Horace, he’s basically saying that death through war, however the end may come is neither pleasant nor honourable. The fact that the poem calls on the rich imagery of the nineteenth century poets, who glorified death and war such as Kipling only adds to the irony.

This poem, and others that he wrote were augmented by newsreel war coverage, then in it’s infancy, which reflected and confirmed the images that his poems depicted. This gave his poetry the added edge of realism and allowed readers of the time a deeper and more intimate understanding of the subjects he spoke of.

cherish
Senior Member
since 2001-03-25
Posts 1639
swimming in fairy floss...........
6 posted 2002-11-11 07:40 PM


I was always under the impression that he was criticising Horace, and the collective of people who sent their men to war.
It wasn't as though he had felt that dying at war was less honourable or glorious then dying at home (his other poems indicate that), rather a spite for the patrioticness of people who glorify war.  

I agree with Phaedrus in his comments about the take on war Owen portrayed in his poetry. War was far from the glory and excitement people thought it to be back home.

Have a look at some of his other works to get a wholesome feel to DEDE- it'll give you something to compare and become more aware of his views on war.

Are you scared?                                BOO! Are you now?

Kirk T Walker
Member
since 2000-01-13
Posts 357
Liberty, MO
7 posted 2002-11-12 07:13 PM


On a poem this popular, I would imagine it would be possible to find some work by professional hatchetmen (not that you can't get some valid ideas from CA).  Try searching an index like the MLA Bibliography (this is probably available through your local university or library) to find some quality criticism and ideas.  Here are a few journal articles that may be of help to you:
Multiple Metrics in Wilfred Owen's 'Dulce et Decorum Est'
AU: Quinn,-William-A..
SO: English-Language-Notes (ELN) Boulder, CO. 1983 Dec.; 21(2): 38-41.
AN: 1983029048

TI: Wilfred Owen and Truth: An Analysis of 'Dulce et Decorum Est'
AU: Hassler,-Donald-M.; Cutler,-John-L.; Thompson,-Lawrence-S.
PB: 215-20 in John L. Cutler & Lawrence S. Thompson, eds. Studies in English and American Literature. (Amer. Notes & Queries Supp. Vol. 1.). Troy, NY : Whitson, 1978.
AN: 1978108096

TI: Owen's 'Dulce et Decorum Est'
AU: Griffith,-George-V..
SO: Explicator (Expl) Washington, DC. 1983 Spring; 41(3): 37-39.
AN: 1983076014

Good luck on your search!

U K Hero
Member
since 1999-08-08
Posts 266
England
8 posted 2002-11-15 08:26 AM


In regards to the poem you'll find a number of interesting comments at the following web site: http://www.cs.rice.edu/~ssiyer/minstrels/poems/132.html

Post A Reply Post New Topic ⇧ top of page ⇧ Go to Previous / Newer Topic Back to Topic List Go to Next / Older Topic
All times are ET (US). All dates are in Year-Month-Day format.
navwin » Archives » Critical Analysis #2 » help, please. dulce et decorum est

Passions in Poetry | pipTalk Home Page | Main Poetry Forums | 100 Best Poems

How to Join | Member's Area / Help | Private Library | Search | Contact Us | Login
Discussion | Tech Talk | Archives | Sanctuary