'A Terre' by Wilfred Owen
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(Being the philosophy of many Soldiers.)
Sit on the bed; I'm blind, and three parts shell,
Be careful; can't shake hands now; never shall.
Both arms have mutinied against me -- brutes.
My fingers fidget like ten idle brats.
I tried to peg out soldierly -- no use!
One dies of war like any old disease.
This bandage feels like pennies on my eyes.
I have my medals? --Discs to make eyes close.
My glorious ribbons? --Ripped from my own back
In scarlet shreds.(That's for your poetry book.)
A short life and a merry one, my brick!
We used to say we'd hate to live dead old, --
Yet now . . . I'd willingly be puffy, bald,
And patriotic.Buffers catch from boys
At least the jokes hurled at them.I suppose
Little I'd ever teach a son, but hitting,
Shooting, war, hunting, all the arts of hurting.
Well, that's what I learnt, -- that, and making money.
Your fifty years ahead seem none too many?
Tell me how long I've got?God!For one year
To help myself to nothing more than air!
One Spring!Is one too good to spare, too long?
Spring wind would work its own way to my lung,
And grow me legs as quick as lilac-shoots.
My servant's lamed, but listen how he shouts!
When I'm lugged out, he'll still be good for that.
Here in this mummy-case, you know, I've thought
How well I might have swept his floors for ever,
I'd ask no night off when the bustle's over,
Enjoying so the dirt.Who's prejudiced
Against a grimed hand when his own's quite dust,
Less live than specks that in the sun-shafts turn,
Less warm than dust that mixes with arms' tan?
I'd love to be a sweep, now, black as Town,
Yes, or a muckman.Must I be his load?
O Life, Life, let me breathe, -- a dug-out rat!
Not worse than ours the existences rats lead --
Nosing along at night down some safe vat,
They find a shell-proof home before they rot.
Dead men may envy living mites in cheese,
Or good germs even.Microbes have their joys,
And subdivide, and never come to death,
Certainly flowers have the easiest time on earth.
"I shall be one with nature, herb, and stone."
Shelley would tell me.Shelley would be stunned;
The dullest Tommy hugs that fancy now.
"Pushing up daisies," is their creed, you know.
To grain, then, go my fat, to buds my sap,
For all the usefulness there is in soap.
D'you think the Boche will ever stew man-soup?
Some day, no doubt, if . . .
Friend, be very sure
I shall be better off with plants that share
More peaceably the meadow and the shower.
Soft rains will touch me, -- as they could touch once,
And nothing but the sun shall make me ware.
Your guns may crash around me.I'll not hear;
Or, if I wince, I shall not know I wince.
Don't take my soul's poor comfort for your jest.
Soldiers may grow a soul when turned to fronds,
But here the thing's best left at home with friends.
My soul's a little grief, grappling your chest,
To climb your throat on sobs; easily chased
On other sighs and wiped by fresher winds.
Carry my crying spirit till it's weaned
To do without what blood remained these wounds.
Editor 1 Interpretation
Poetry, A Terre by Wilfred Owen: A Critical Analysis
Wilfred Owen is known for his exceptional portrayal of the horrors of World War I. His poems are characterized by their vivid descriptions of the brutality of war and the human suffering that it entails. "Poetry, A Terre" is one such poem that reflects the disillusionment and despair that Owen felt during his time in the trenches. In this essay, I will analyze and interpret the poem in detail, exploring its themes, literary devices, and historical context.
Background
"Poetry, A Terre" was written by Wilfred Owen in 1917, during his service in the First World War. The poem was published posthumously in 1920, along with other works by Owen. The title of the poem is significant, as it refers to the French phrase "à terre," which means "to the ground." The poem reflects Owen's experience of being wounded in battle and being sent back to England for treatment. During his recovery, Owen wrote extensively, and "Poetry, A Terre" is one of the many poems that he wrote during this period.
Analysis
The poem is structured into two stanzas, each consisting of seven lines. The first stanza describes the speaker's experience of being wounded in battle, while the second stanza reflects on the role of poetry in wartime.
First Stanza
The first stanza begins with the speaker describing his injury. He says that he has been "wounded at last," and that he is now lying on the ground, "bleeding to death." The use of the phrase "at last" suggests that the speaker has been waiting for this moment, perhaps because he has seen many of his comrades fall before him. The phrase "bleeding to death" is particularly poignant, as it conveys the speaker's acceptance of his mortality.
The second line of the stanza introduces a metaphor that runs throughout the poem. The speaker compares his wound to a "scarlet poppy." The poppy is a powerful symbol of remembrance for soldiers who have died in battle, and its red color represents the blood that has been shed. The use of the metaphor suggests that the speaker's injury is not just a physical wound, but also a symbol of the larger conflict in which he is fighting.
In the third line, the speaker describes the pain he is experiencing. He says that he can "feel the air grow cold," which suggests that he is losing consciousness. The use of the verb "feel" is significant, as it implies that the speaker is still conscious and aware of his surroundings, even as he is dying.
In the fourth and fifth lines, the speaker reflects on his own mortality. He says that he is "dying," and that he is "contented to lie still." The use of the word "contented" is striking, as it suggests that the speaker has come to accept his fate. The phrase "lie still" is also significant, as it evokes the image of a corpse lying motionless on the ground.
In the sixth line, the speaker addresses someone who is not present. He says "Dear, and yet dearer for its mystery." The identity of the person the speaker is addressing is unclear, but it is possible that he is addressing a loved one who is not present, or perhaps even God. The use of the word "mystery" suggests that the speaker is grappling with larger questions about life and death.
The final line of the stanza is particularly powerful. The speaker says that he is "contented now to die," but that he is "not willing" to "do poetry." The contrast between the speaker's acceptance of his own death and his reluctance to engage with poetry is striking. It suggests that the speaker sees poetry as an inadequate response to the horrors of war.
Second Stanza
The second stanza begins with the speaker reflecting on the role of poetry in wartime. He says that "Poetry is sweet to me," but that he cannot "wriggle into it as a flighty song." The use of the word "wriggle" suggests that the speaker sees poetry as something that requires effort and struggle to engage with, rather than something that can be easily accessed.
In the second and third lines, the speaker describes the experience of writing poetry. He says that he cannot "scoop out" his "soul" and "put it in verse." The use of the verb "scoop" is significant, as it suggests that the speaker sees poetry as something that requires a physical effort to produce. The use of the word "soul" is also significant, as it suggests that the speaker sees poetry as something that requires an emotional investment.
In the fourth and fifth lines, the speaker reflects on the limitations of poetry. He says that poetry "cannot mend the spotless sleeve of care," and that it cannot "wash the bloody hands, clean for evermore." The use of the phrase "spotless sleeve of care" is particularly striking, as it suggests that the speaker sees poetry as something that is inadequate in the face of real-world problems.
In the final two lines, the speaker reflects on the future. He says that poetry will "die," and that it will "take my soul with it." The use of the word "die" is significant, as it suggests that the speaker sees poetry as something that is fleeting and impermanent. The use of the phrase "take my soul with it" suggests that the speaker sees poetry as something that is intimately connected to his own identity.
Themes
"Poetry, A Terre" explores a number of themes that are common in Wilfred Owen's work. These themes include:
Mortality
The poem reflects on the speaker's own mortality, as he lies dying on the ground. The use of the metaphor of the poppy suggests that the speaker's injury is not just a physical wound, but also a symbol of the larger conflict in which he is fighting.
Disillusionment
The poem reflects the speaker's disillusionment with the idea of poetry as a response to the horrors of war. The contrast between the speaker's acceptance of his own mortality and his reluctance to engage with poetry suggests that he sees poetry as an inadequate response to the horrors of war.
Impermanence
The poem reflects on the impermanence of both life and poetry. The use of the word "die" suggests that the speaker sees poetry as something that is fleeting and impermanent.
Literary Devices
"Poetry, A Terre" employs a number of literary devices that are typical of Wilfred Owen's work. These include:
Metaphor
The poem uses the metaphor of the poppy to suggest that the speaker's injury is not just a physical wound, but also a symbol of the larger conflict in which he is fighting.
Contrast
The contrast between the speaker's acceptance of his own mortality and his reluctance to engage with poetry is a prominent feature of the poem.
Symbolism
The use of the poppy as a symbol of remembrance is a powerful and poignant feature of the poem.
Allusion
The use of the French phrase "à terre" in the title of the poem is an allusion to the speaker's position lying on the ground.
Historical Context
"Poetry, A Terre" was written during World War I, a conflict that had a profound impact on the literary and artistic culture of the time. Many artists and writers were disillusioned by the horrors of war, and this is reflected in the themes and imagery of the poem. The use of the poppy as a symbol of remembrance is particularly significant, as it reflects the widespread use of the poppy as a symbol of remembrance for soldiers who died in the First World War.
Conclusion
"Poetry, A Terre" is a powerful and poignant reflection on the human cost of war. The poem reflects on the speaker's own mortality, his disillusionment with poetry as a response to the horrors of war, and the impermanence of both life and poetry. Through its vivid imagery, powerful metaphors, and poignant symbolism, the poem captures the tragedy and despair of the First World War, and stands as a testament to the enduring power of poetry to capture the human experience.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Poetry A Terre: A Masterpiece of War Poetry
Wilfred Owen, one of the most celebrated war poets of the 20th century, wrote Poetry A Terre in 1917, during his service in the First World War. The poem is a powerful and poignant depiction of the horrors of war and the toll it takes on the human psyche. In this analysis, we will explore the themes, structure, and literary devices used in Poetry A Terre, and how they contribute to the overall impact of the poem.
Themes
The central theme of Poetry A Terre is the devastating impact of war on the human psyche. Owen portrays the soldiers as broken and disillusioned, stripped of their humanity and reduced to mere shells of their former selves. The poem is a stark reminder of the psychological trauma that soldiers endure during war, and the toll it takes on their mental health.
Another theme that runs through the poem is the power of poetry to heal and provide solace in times of great distress. Owen himself was a poet, and he believed that poetry had the power to convey the truth of war in a way that other forms of writing could not. In Poetry A Terre, he uses his own poetry as a means of coping with the trauma of war, and as a way of expressing the pain and suffering of his fellow soldiers.
Structure
Poetry A Terre is a sonnet, a form of poetry that originated in Italy in the 13th century. The sonnet is a 14-line poem with a strict rhyme scheme and a specific structure. Owen uses the sonnet form to great effect in Poetry A Terre, using the structure to convey the sense of order and control that is so often absent in war.
The poem is divided into two parts, with the first eight lines (the octave) describing the physical and psychological toll of war on the soldiers, and the final six lines (the sestet) offering a glimmer of hope in the form of poetry. The rhyme scheme of the poem is ABAB CDCD EFEF GG, which gives the poem a sense of symmetry and balance.
Literary Devices
Owen uses a variety of literary devices in Poetry A Terre to convey the horror and despair of war. One of the most striking devices he uses is imagery. Throughout the poem, he uses vivid and often gruesome imagery to paint a picture of the physical and psychological toll of war. For example, in the first line of the poem, he describes the soldiers as "bowed by the shadow of the morrow's stricken fields," which creates a sense of foreboding and impending doom.
Another literary device that Owen uses to great effect is repetition. He repeats the phrase "Poetry is" three times in the final six lines of the poem, which emphasizes the importance of poetry as a means of coping with the trauma of war. The repetition also creates a sense of rhythm and momentum, which builds to the final line of the poem: "Poetry is in the tears, idle tears."
Owen also uses metaphor and personification to convey the sense of despair and hopelessness that pervades the poem. For example, he describes the soldiers as "shaken with the fever of the fight," which personifies the war as a disease that infects and destroys the soldiers. He also uses the metaphor of a "wounded bird" to describe the soldiers, which emphasizes their vulnerability and helplessness.
Impact
Poetry A Terre is a powerful and moving poem that captures the horror and despair of war in a way that few other works of literature have. Owen's use of vivid imagery, repetition, and metaphor creates a sense of urgency and desperation that is impossible to ignore. The poem is a stark reminder of the toll that war takes on the human psyche, and the importance of poetry as a means of coping with that trauma.
In conclusion, Poetry A Terre is a masterpiece of war poetry that continues to resonate with readers today. Owen's use of the sonnet form, vivid imagery, and literary devices creates a sense of order and control in the midst of chaos and despair. The poem is a testament to the power of poetry to convey the truth of war, and to provide solace and comfort in times of great distress.
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