'On Seeing A Piece Of Our Artillery Brought Into Action' by Wilfred Owen

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Be slowly lifted up, thou long black arm,
Great gun towering towards Heaven, about to curse;
Sway steep against them, and for years rehearse
Huge imprecations like a blasting charm!
Reach at that Arrogance which needs thy harm,
And beat it down before its sins grow worse;
Spend our resentment, cannon,--yea, disburse
Our gold in shapes of flame, our breaths in storm.Yet, for men's sakes whom thy vast malison
Must wither innocent of enmity,
Be not withdrawn, dark arm, thy spoilure done,
Safe to the bosom of our prosperity.
But when thy spell be cast complete and whole,
May God curse thee, and cut thee from our soul!

Editor 1 Interpretation

An Analysis of "On Seeing A Piece Of Our Artillery Brought Into Action" by Wilfred Owen

When it comes to war, there is no lack of poetry or literature that glorifies the action and honors the soldiers who fight. However, there are few works that delve into the horrors of war and the psychological toll it takes on the soldiers. "On Seeing A Piece Of Our Artillery Brought Into Action" by Wilfred Owen is one such piece. In just six stanzas, Owen uses imagery and symbolism to convey the brutality of war and the despair it brings to the soldiers fighting it.

The Setting and Imagery

The poem is set in a battlefield where the narrator is watching the artillery being brought into action. Owen's use of imagery is so vivid that it transports the reader to the scene. The opening lines, "Be slowly lifted up, thou long black arm, / Great gun towering towards Heaven, about to curse" immediately paint a picture of the massive weapon and the ominous atmosphere surrounding it. The description of the gun as a "long black arm" further emphasizes its menacing presence.

As the gun is fired, the imagery becomes more visceral. Owen describes the "blood-ridden sod" and the "smoke that blinds the way." He also mentions the "crash of falling horse," which brings to mind the chaos and destruction of the battlefield. The use of sensory details like smoke, blood, and the sound of horse hooves creates a vivid and realistic scene that evokes a sense of fear and dread in the reader.

The Symbolism

While the imagery in the poem is powerful, it is the symbolism that truly makes "On Seeing A Piece Of Our Artillery Brought Into Action" a literary masterpiece. The gun itself is a symbol of destruction and death. It is described as "tall" and "black," with a "grim head." The gun represents the war machine and the machinery of death that the soldiers are forced to use.

The soldiers themselves are also symbolic in the poem. They are described as "men of bitter hearts" and "hard eyes." These soldiers have been hardened by the brutal realities of war and have become desensitized to the death and destruction they are causing. The phrase "bitter hearts" suggests that they are not only emotionally numb but also resentful of their situation.

The fact that the narrator is watching the gun being fired from a distance also adds to the symbolism. He is not actively participating in the battle, but rather observing it from afar. This positions him as a symbol of the civilian population who are removed from the horrors of war but are still affected by it.

The Theme of Despair

Perhaps the most significant theme in "On Seeing A Piece Of Our Artillery Brought Into Action" is the sense of despair that pervades the poem. The soldiers are described as having "hard eyes" and "bitter hearts," suggesting that they have lost their humanity and are consumed by the violence surrounding them. The phrase "horses dying" also evokes a sense of hopelessness and despair. The soldiers are not only killing each other but also innocent animals that are caught in the crossfire.

The final stanza of the poem is particularly poignant in its expression of despair. The narrator describes the gun as a "monster spitting death and scorn," which is a powerful metaphor for the brutality of war. He also asks the question, "O who will take him from this place?" This question suggests that the speaker is overwhelmed by the horror of what he has witnessed and is looking for a way to escape.

Conclusion

Wilfred Owen's "On Seeing A Piece Of Our Artillery Brought Into Action" is a powerful and poignant poem that delves into the horrors of war and the psychological toll it takes on the soldiers fighting it. Through vivid imagery and powerful symbolism, Owen creates a scene that is both realistic and symbolic. The gun itself is a symbol of destruction and death, while the soldiers represent the desensitized and emotionally numb soldiers who have lost their humanity. The theme of despair pervades the poem, with the final stanza expressing a sense of hopelessness and the desire for escape. Overall, this poem is a powerful reminder of the horrors of war and the toll it takes on those who fight it.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Poetry On Seeing A Piece Of Our Artillery Brought Into Action: A Masterpiece by Wilfred Owen

Wilfred Owen, one of the most celebrated war poets of all time, is known for his poignant and powerful poems that capture the horrors of World War I. Among his many works, Poetry On Seeing A Piece Of Our Artillery Brought Into Action stands out as a masterpiece that showcases his exceptional talent for capturing the essence of war in words.

In this poem, Owen describes the sight of a piece of artillery being brought into action, and the emotions it evokes in him. The poem is divided into two stanzas, each with a distinct tone and message.

The first stanza sets the scene and describes the arrival of the artillery. Owen uses vivid imagery to paint a picture of the scene, with the "great gun" being brought in by "six horses". The gun is described as "grim" and "massive", and the horses are "straining" to pull it. This imagery creates a sense of tension and anticipation, as the reader can sense that something significant is about to happen.

Owen also uses sound imagery to enhance the effect of the scene. The "jingle" of the horses' harnesses and the "grunting" of the men who are pushing the gun create a sense of chaos and urgency. The reader can almost hear the commotion and feel the tension in the air.

In the second stanza, Owen shifts the focus to his own emotions and reactions to the scene. He describes how the sight of the gun being brought into action fills him with a sense of awe and wonder. He is struck by the power and majesty of the weapon, and the way it dominates the landscape.

Owen's use of language in this stanza is particularly effective. He uses words like "majestic", "sublime", and "splendour" to convey his sense of wonder and admiration. He also uses metaphorical language, describing the gun as a "monster" and a "dragon", to emphasize its power and dominance.

However, despite his admiration for the gun, Owen is also aware of the destruction and death that it represents. He describes how the gun "spits" and "roars", and how its "flame" and "smoke" obscure the landscape. He is aware of the devastation that the gun can cause, and the lives that it can take.

Owen's use of language in this stanza is also notable for its use of alliteration and onomatopoeia. The repeated "s" sounds in "spits" and "smoke", and the harsh "r" sounds in "roars" and "flame", create a sense of violence and aggression. The reader can almost feel the impact of the gun's firing.

Overall, Poetry On Seeing A Piece Of Our Artillery Brought Into Action is a powerful and evocative poem that captures the essence of war in a few short stanzas. Owen's use of vivid imagery, sound effects, and metaphorical language creates a sense of tension, awe, and horror that is both captivating and disturbing.

The poem is also notable for its use of contrast. Owen contrasts the beauty and power of the gun with the destruction and death that it represents. He contrasts the majesty of the weapon with the chaos and violence of war. This contrast creates a sense of complexity and nuance that is often missing from war poetry.

In conclusion, Poetry On Seeing A Piece Of Our Artillery Brought Into Action is a masterpiece of war poetry that showcases Wilfred Owen's exceptional talent for capturing the essence of war in words. It is a poem that is both beautiful and horrifying, and that leaves a lasting impression on the reader.

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