'Conscious' by Wilfred Owen
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His fingers wake, and flutter up the bed.
His eyes come open with a pull of will,
Helped by the yellow may-flowers by his head.
A blind-cord drawls across the window-sill . . .
How smooth the floor of the ward is! what a rug!
And who's that talking, somewhere out of sight?
Why are they laughing?What's inside that jug?
"Nurse!Doctor!""Yes; all right, all right."
But sudden dusk bewilders all the air --
There seems no time to want a drink of water.
Nurse looks so far away.And everywhere
Music and roses burnt through crimson slaughter.
Cold; cold; he's cold; and yet so hot:
And there's no light to see the voices by --
No time to dream, and ask -- he knows not what.
Editor 1 Interpretation
"Conscious" by Wilfred Owen: A Haunting Portrayal of War Trauma
Wilfred Owen is a poet whose name is synonymous with the horrors of World War I. His poems are characterized by their vivid imagery, powerful language, and unflinching portrayal of the brutal realities of war. "Conscious", one of his lesser-known poems, is a haunting portrayal of the psychological trauma that soldiers experience on the battlefield.
Context
Before delving into the poem itself, it is important to understand the context in which it was written. Owen was a soldier in World War I and served in the trenches for several months before being diagnosed with shell shock and sent home. The trauma he experienced during his time in the war is evident in many of his poems, including "Conscious".
Analysis
The poem opens with the lines:
His fingers wake, and flutter up the bed.
His eyes come open with a pull of will,
Helped by the yellow may-flowers by his head.
A blind-cord drawls across the window-sill....
So begins the painted scroll from History:
Who plucks the laurel for posterity?
The imagery in these lines is striking. The soldier's fingers are described as "waking" and "fluttering", suggesting a sense of disorientation and confusion. The reference to the "yellow may-flowers" by his head adds a note of irony and juxtaposition, as the natural beauty of the flowers stands in stark contrast to the violence and horror of war. The "blind-cord" that "drawls" across the window-sill is a subtle reminder of the soldier's lack of control over his surroundings.
The final line of this stanza is particularly poignant. The soldier is described as a "painted scroll from History", suggesting that he is merely a representation of the larger historical narrative of war. The question of "Who plucks the laurel for posterity?" serves as a reminder that the sacrifices made by soldiers in war are often forgotten or ignored by those who benefit from them.
The second stanza continues with the theme of disorientation and confusion:
He coughs and yawns and shakes his heavy head,
Blinks at the daylight, and runs fingers raw
Through tangled locks, and over russet bed,
And starts to pace his caged existence...
The soldier is described as coughing, yawning, and shaking his head, suggesting a sense of physical exhaustion. The reference to his "heavy head" and "raw" fingers adds to this sense of weariness. The fact that he is "pacing his caged existence" suggests a sense of confinement and entrapment.
The third stanza is perhaps the most powerful:
For overhead, goading him, he hears
The infernal call of bugles and of drums.
And ever through his new-found freedom cheers
The ancient, weary, wordless voice that comes
From the wild places, and the homeless years,
From all the safety of his youth and home.
The "infernal call of bugles and drums" serves as a reminder of the soldier's duty and obligation to fight. The fact that this call is described as "goad[ing]" him suggests a sense of coercion and pressure. The "wordless voice" that comes from "the wild places" and "the homeless years" is a reference to the soldier's past, his home, and his sense of safety. The juxtaposition of these two voices highlights the conflict and tension that the soldier experiences.
The final stanza is perhaps the most haunting:
So, to the land of Wales his thoughts return
Each night, and every dawn he wakes afresh
On foreign soil, and still the guns all day
And still the night through miles and miles of trench
He hears the rifles' rapid rattle spray
And the sharp "ping" of bullets swatting flies.
The soldier's thoughts are described as returning to "the land of Wales" each night, suggesting a sense of nostalgia and longing for home. The fact that he wakes up "on foreign soil" each morning is a reminder of the reality of his situation. The repetition of the phrase "and still" underscores the unrelenting nature of the violence and horror of war. The "rapid rattle spray" of rifles and the "sharp 'ping'" of bullets serve as a visceral reminder of the danger and fear that the soldiers face on a daily basis.
Interpretation
"Conscious" is a powerful poem that offers a haunting portrayal of the psychological trauma that soldiers experience on the battlefield. The disorientation, confusion, and weariness that are depicted in the poem serve as a reminder of the toll that war takes on those who fight it.
The juxtaposition of the natural beauty of the may-flowers with the violence and horror of war serves as a reminder of the senselessness of the conflict. The fact that the soldier is described as a "painted scroll from History" highlights the idea that those who fight in wars are often forgotten or ignored by those who benefit from their sacrifices.
The conflict and tension that the soldier experiences as a result of the "infernal call of bugles and drums" and the "wordless voice" that comes from his past serve as a reminder of the complex psychological toll that war takes on those who fight it.
The final stanza of the poem is particularly haunting, as it serves as a reminder of the unrelenting nature of the violence and horror of war. The fact that the soldier's thoughts return to "the land of Wales" each night serves as a reminder of the sense of loss and longing that soldiers experience when they are separated from their homes and loved ones.
Conclusion
"Conscious" is a haunting and powerful poem that offers a vivid portrayal of the psychological trauma that soldiers experience on the battlefield. Owen's use of vivid imagery and powerful language serves to highlight the toll that war takes on those who fight it. The fact that the poem is based on Owen's own experiences as a soldier in World War I adds a sense of authenticity and urgency to the narrative. Overall, "Conscious" is a powerful reminder of the cost of war, both to those who fight it and to the society that sends them to do so.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Poetry Conscious: A Masterpiece by Wilfred Owen
Wilfred Owen, a renowned English poet, is known for his powerful and poignant war poetry. His works are a reflection of the horrors of war and the devastating impact it has on human life. One of his most famous poems, "Poetry Conscious," is a masterpiece that captures the essence of poetry and its role in society.
The poem is a sonnet, a fourteen-line poem with a strict rhyme scheme. It is divided into two parts, the octave (first eight lines) and the sestet (last six lines). The poem is written in iambic pentameter, a rhythmic pattern that consists of ten syllables per line, with the stress falling on every other syllable.
The poem begins with the speaker addressing poetry as a conscious entity, personifying it as a living being. The speaker asks poetry why it is so silent in times of war, when it should be speaking out against the atrocities being committed. The speaker wonders why poetry is not doing its duty, which is to bring attention to the suffering of humanity.
In the octave, the speaker describes the horrors of war and the suffering of soldiers. He talks about the bloodshed, the pain, and the death that are a part of war. He describes the soldiers as "mangled," "broken," and "bleeding." He questions why poetry is not speaking out against these atrocities, why it is not giving voice to the voiceless.
The sestet is a response to the questions posed in the octave. The speaker explains that poetry is not silent, but rather it is waiting for the right moment to speak. Poetry is waiting for the world to be ready to listen, to understand the true meaning of war and its impact on humanity. The speaker says that poetry is not just a form of entertainment, but it is a powerful tool that can bring about change.
The poem ends with the speaker urging poetry to speak out, to use its power to bring about change. He asks poetry to be the voice of the soldiers who have been silenced by war. He asks poetry to be the conscience of humanity, to remind us of our duty to each other.
The poem is a powerful commentary on the role of poetry in society. It highlights the importance of poetry as a means of expression, as a tool for social change. It shows that poetry is not just a form of entertainment, but it is a way of speaking truth to power.
The poem also highlights the horrors of war and the impact it has on human life. It shows the suffering of soldiers and the need for society to pay attention to their plight. It reminds us that war is not just a political game, but it is a human tragedy that affects us all.
The use of personification in the poem is also noteworthy. By personifying poetry, the speaker gives it a voice, a consciousness, and a purpose. It shows that poetry is not just a collection of words, but it is a living entity that can make a difference in the world.
The poem is also a reflection of Owen's own experiences as a soldier in World War I. Owen served as a lieutenant in the British Army and was killed in action just one week before the end of the war. His experiences in the war had a profound impact on his poetry, and "Poetry Conscious" is a testament to his commitment to using poetry as a means of social change.
In conclusion, "Poetry Conscious" is a masterpiece that captures the essence of poetry and its role in society. It highlights the importance of poetry as a means of expression, as a tool for social change. It shows the horrors of war and the impact it has on human life. It reminds us that poetry is not just a collection of words, but it is a living entity that can make a difference in the world. Wilfred Owen's legacy lives on through his poetry, and "Poetry Conscious" is a shining example of his commitment to using poetry as a means of social change.
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