'The Sentry' by Wilfred Owen
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We'd found an old Boche dug-out, and he knew,
And gave us hell, for shell on frantic shell
Hammered on top, but never quite burst through.
Rain, guttering down in waterfalls of slime
Kept slush waist high, that rising hour by hour,
Choked up the steps too thick with clay to climb.
What murk of air remained stank old, and sour
With fumes of whizz-bangs, and the smell of men
Who'd lived there years, and left their curse in the den,
If not their corpses. . . .
There we herded from the blast
Of whizz-bangs, but one found our door at last.
Buffeting eyes and breath, snuffing the candles.
And thud! flump! thud! down the steep steps came thumping
And splashing in the flood, deluging muck --
The sentry's body; then his rifle, handles
Of old Boche bombs, and mud in ruck on ruck.
We dredged him up, for killed, until he whined
"O sir, my eyes -- I'm blind -- I'm blind, I'm blind!"
Coaxing, I held a flame against his lids
And said if he could see the least blurred light
He was not blind; in time he'd get all right.
"I can't," he sobbed.Eyeballs, huge-bulged like squids
Watch my dreams still; but I forgot him there
In posting next for duty, and sending a scout
To beg a stretcher somewhere, and floundering about
To other posts under the shrieking air.
Those other wretches, how they bled and spewed,
And one who would have drowned himself for good, --
I try not to remember these things now.
Let dread hark back for one word only:how
Half-listening to that sentry's moans and jumps,
And the wild chattering of his broken teeth,
Renewed most horribly whenever crumps
Pummelled the roof and slogged the air beneath --
Through the dense din, I say, we heard him shout
"I see your lights!"But ours had long died out.
Editor 1 Interpretation
Analysis of "The Sentry" by Wilfred Owen
Are you a fan of war poetry? Do you enjoy reading about the experiences of soldiers in the trenches during World War I? If so, then you won't want to miss "The Sentry" by Wilfred Owen. This powerful poem captures the fear, confusion, and agony of a group of soldiers as they huddle in a shell hole under heavy fire. In this literary analysis, we'll explore the themes, symbols, and literary devices used in "The Sentry" to help you appreciate this classic war poem.
Background on Wilfred Owen
Before we dive into the poem itself, let's take a moment to learn about its author, Wilfred Owen. Owen was born in 1893 in Oswestry, Shropshire, England. He was raised in a relatively comfortable middle-class family and attended the prestigious Birkenhead School. In 1915, he enlisted in the British Army and was sent to fight in France.
During his time in the trenches, Owen witnessed firsthand the horrors of war. He was injured several times and suffered from shell shock (now known as post-traumatic stress disorder). Despite this, he continued to write poetry, using his experiences to inform his work.
Sadly, Owen's life was cut short when he was killed in action just one week before the end of World War I. He was only 25 years old. However, his poetry has lived on and is now considered some of the most powerful and moving work to come out of the war.
"The Sentry": A Summary
"The Sentry" is a poem that describes a group of soldiers who are caught in the middle of a battle. They have taken refuge in a shell hole, but they are being bombarded by enemy fire. As they wait for the attack to subside, they begin to hear strange noises and see eerie shadows moving around them.
One soldier, who serves as the poem's narrator, is particularly frightened. He can't help but imagine all sorts of haunting images and terrifying scenarios. He's convinced that the enemy is about to launch a gas attack or that a bomb is going to come crashing down on them at any moment.
The poem ends with the soldiers finally being relieved by a group of reinforcements. As they leave the shell hole and make their way back to safety, the narrator looks back and sees the body of the sentry who had been standing guard. He realizes that the soldier had been shot through the head and had been dead the entire time they were hiding in the hole.
Themes in "The Sentry"
One of the most prominent themes in "The Sentry" is the sheer terror of war. As the soldiers cower in the shell hole, they are acutely aware of the fact that they could die at any moment. They are surrounded by the sounds of gunfire and explosions, and they can see the flashes of enemy fire lighting up the night sky.
Another theme in the poem is the idea of the unknown. The soldiers have no idea what's going on outside of their small, cramped space. They can only hear and see fragments of what's happening around them. As a result, their imaginations run wild, and they start to imagine all sorts of terrifying scenarios.
Finally, "The Sentry" explores the idea of sacrifice. The sentry who was killed had been standing guard, trying to protect his fellow soldiers from harm. He gave his life so that they might live. The poem acknowledges the bravery and selflessness of soldiers who are willing to lay down their lives for their comrades.
Symbols in "The Sentry"
One of the most striking symbols in "The Sentry" is the shadow that the narrator sees moving around the shell hole. This shadow is a representation of the unknown and the fear that it inspires. The soldiers can't see what's happening outside of their hole, but they can see the shadow moving, which only adds to their sense of unease.
Another symbol in the poem is the sentry himself. He represents the sacrifice that soldiers make in order to protect their comrades. He was standing guard, watching out for danger, when he was killed. His death serves as a reminder of the risks that soldiers take every day.
Literary Devices in "The Sentry"
"The Sentry" makes use of several literary devices to create a sense of mood and tone. One of the most effective devices is the use of imagery. Owen uses vivid, descriptive language to paint a picture of the soldiers' surroundings. He describes the flashes of light, the sounds of gunfire, and the movements of the shadow in great detail, which helps to put the reader in the middle of the action.
Another literary device used in the poem is repetition. The phrase "I see him" is repeated several times throughout the poem, which helps to create a sense of urgency and panic. The repetition also serves to emphasize the importance of the sentry and his sacrifice.
Finally, Owen makes use of irony in "The Sentry." The soldiers are hiding in a shell hole, trying to avoid getting killed, but they are actually safer out in the open than they are in the hole. The sentry, who was standing out in the open, was the one who was killed. This irony serves to underscore the senselessness of war and the arbitrary nature of death on the battlefield.
Conclusion
"The Sentry" is a powerful war poem that captures the fear and confusion of soldiers in the trenches. Through the use of vivid imagery, repetition, and irony, Wilfred Owen creates a sense of mood and tone that is both haunting and unforgettable. The poem serves as a reminder of the sacrifices that soldiers make in order to protect their comrades and of the senselessness of war itself. Whether you're a fan of war poetry or simply looking for a moving and thought-provoking poem to read, "The Sentry" is definitely worth your time.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
The Sentry: A Masterpiece of War Poetry
Wilfred Owen, one of the most celebrated poets of the First World War, wrote The Sentry in 1917. The poem is a haunting portrayal of the horrors of war, and the psychological trauma that soldiers endure. The Sentry is a powerful and moving work that captures the essence of the war experience, and the toll it takes on the human spirit.
The poem is set in the trenches of the Western Front, where soldiers are constantly exposed to the dangers of enemy fire. The Sentry is a narrative poem that tells the story of a soldier who is on sentry duty, watching for any signs of enemy activity. The soldier is tired and weary, and his mind is filled with thoughts of home and loved ones. Suddenly, he hears a noise, and he realizes that the enemy is approaching. He fires his gun, but it is too late. The enemy has already infiltrated the trenches, and the soldier is killed.
The Sentry is a powerful and poignant poem that captures the essence of the war experience. Owen uses vivid imagery and powerful language to convey the horror and brutality of war. The poem is filled with stark and vivid images that bring the war to life, and the reader is transported to the trenches of the Western Front.
One of the most striking aspects of The Sentry is the way in which Owen portrays the psychological trauma that soldiers endure. The soldier in the poem is exhausted and weary, and his mind is filled with thoughts of home and loved ones. This is a common experience for soldiers in war, who are often far from home and family for long periods of time. The soldier's thoughts of home and loved ones are a reminder of the human cost of war, and the toll it takes on the human spirit.
Owen also portrays the horror and brutality of war in The Sentry. The soldier is on sentry duty, watching for any signs of enemy activity. Suddenly, he hears a noise, and he realizes that the enemy is approaching. He fires his gun, but it is too late. The enemy has already infiltrated the trenches, and the soldier is killed. This is a stark reminder of the dangers that soldiers face in war, and the constant threat of death that hangs over them.
The Sentry is also a commentary on the futility of war. The soldier in the poem is killed in a senseless act of violence, and his death serves no purpose. This is a common theme in Owen's poetry, as he was a staunch critic of the war and its senseless violence. The poem is a powerful reminder of the human cost of war, and the need for peace and understanding.
In conclusion, The Sentry is a masterpiece of war poetry that captures the essence of the war experience. Owen's use of vivid imagery and powerful language brings the war to life, and his portrayal of the psychological trauma that soldiers endure is both moving and poignant. The poem is a powerful reminder of the human cost of war, and the need for peace and understanding. The Sentry is a timeless work that continues to resonate with readers today, and it is a testament to Owen's skill as a poet and his commitment to telling the truth about war.
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