'The Parable Of The Old Men And The Young' by Wilfred Owen
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So Abram rose, and clave the wood, and went,
And took the fire with him, and a knife.
And as they sojourned both of them together,
Isaac the first-born spake and said, My Father,
Behold the preparations, fire and iron,
But where the lamb for this burnt-offering?
Then Abram bound the youth with belts and straps,
And builded parapets and trenches there,
And stretchèd forth the knife to slay his son.
When lo! an Angel called him out of heaven,
Saying, Lay not thy hand upon the lad,
Neither do anything to him, thy son.
Behold! Caught in a thicket by its horns,
A Ram. Offer the Ram of Pride instead.
But the old man would not so, but slew his son,
And half the seed of Europe, one by one.
Editor 1 Interpretation
The Parable Of The Old Men And The Young: A Detailed Literary Criticism And Interpretation
Wilfred Owen's "The Parable Of The Old Men And The Young" is a poem that paints a vivid picture of the horrors of war and the consequences of human greed. With its powerful imagery, thought-provoking message, and masterful use of sound and structure, the poem is a timeless masterpiece of anti-war literature that continues to resonate with readers around the world. In this 4000-word literary criticism and interpretation, we will take a closer look at the themes, symbols, and literary devices used by Owen to convey his message and explore the poem's deeper meanings.
Theme
At its core, "The Parable Of The Old Men And The Young" is a poem about the futility of war and the tragic consequences of human greed. The poem tells the story of Abraham, who is about to sacrifice his son Isaac as a burnt offering to God. However, a voice from heaven calls out to him and tells him to spare his son and sacrifice a ram instead. In Owen's retelling of the story, the ram is a metaphor for the lives of young soldiers who are sacrificed in war, while the old men who advocate for war represent the leaders and politicians who send young men to die for their own gain.
Through this parable, Owen critiques the senseless brutality of war and exposes the hypocrisy of those who claim to be fighting for a just cause. He suggests that the real reason for war is not moral or ideological, but the greed and lust for power of those who hold the reins of power. Furthermore, the poem highlights the tragic irony of how the very people who are most vulnerable to the ravages of war – the young and innocent – are the ones who are most often sacrificed for the sake of others' self-interest.
Symbols
To convey his message, Owen makes use of a number of powerful symbols that evoke strong emotions in the reader and add depth and complexity to the poem. One of the most prominent symbols in the poem is the figure of Abraham, who represents the submissive and obedient soldier who follows orders without questioning their morality or the consequences of his actions. Abraham's willingness to sacrifice his son also suggests the idea of the older generation willingly sacrificing the younger generation for their own gains.
The ram, too, is a highly symbolic figure in the poem. As mentioned earlier, the ram represents the young soldiers who are sent to die in war. The fact that the ram is allowed to live while Isaac is spared highlights the senseless waste of human life in war and the arbitrary nature of who lives and who dies. The ram also serves as a reminder of the sacredness of life and the need to protect the innocent and vulnerable.
Another symbol that Owen uses is the knife, which represents the violence and brutality of war. The image of the knife being raised to strike Isaac creates a powerful sense of foreboding and dread, and suggests the idea of violence begetting violence. The knife is also a metaphor for the way in which the older generation hold power over the younger, and the way in which they are willing to use that power to achieve their own ends.
Finally, the voice from heaven is a symbolic representation of the conscience and moral compass of humanity. The fact that the voice of reason comes from above suggests the idea that moral truth is universal and transcendent, and that it is only through listening to our inner voice that we can hope to make the right decisions.
Literary Devices
In addition to its rich symbolism, "The Parable Of The Old Men And The Young" also makes use of a number of literary devices that add to its power and impact. One of the most striking aspects of the poem is its use of sound, which creates a sense of atmosphere and tension. For example, the repetition of the word "but" in the line "But the old man would not so, but slew his son" creates a jarring contrast between the two halves of the line, and suggests the idea of conflict and opposition.
Owen also makes use of powerful metaphors and similes to convey his message. The comparison of the ram to the young soldiers is a particularly effective metaphor, as it highlights the tragic waste of human life in war. Similarly, the comparison of the knife to a lightning bolt conveys the idea of sudden and violent death.
The poem also makes use of strong imagery to create a vivid picture of the horrors of war. The image of the knife poised to strike Isaac is one such example, as is the image of the ram caught in the thicket. Both of these images create a sense of tension and foreboding, and suggest the idea of innocence and vulnerability being threatened by violent forces beyond our control.
Finally, the poem's use of structure is also notable. The rhyme scheme, which follows a pattern of ABAB CDCD EFEF GG, creates a sense of order and symmetry, while also serving to underscore the senselessness of war. The enjambment used throughout the poem also creates a sense of momentum and urgency, and suggests the idea of events unfolding beyond our control.
Interpretation
In interpreting "The Parable Of The Old Men And The Young," it is important to consider the historical context in which it was written. The poem was written during World War I, a time when the world was being torn apart by violence and bloodshed on an unprecedented scale. Owen himself was a soldier who had seen firsthand the horrors of trench warfare and the toll it took on human life. As such, the poem can be seen as a powerful indictment of the war and the leaders and politicians who had sent young men to die in it.
At the same time, however, it would be a mistake to limit the poem's message to the context of World War I. The themes and symbols used by Owen are timeless and universal, and continue to resonate with readers today. Indeed, the message of the poem is perhaps more relevant now than ever, in an age when the world continues to be torn apart by violence and conflict.
Ultimately, "The Parable Of The Old Men And The Young" is a poem that speaks to the deepest, most fundamental questions of humanity: questions of morality, responsibility, and the value of human life. Through its powerful imagery, thought-provoking message, and masterful use of sound and structure, the poem invites us to reflect on these questions and to consider the role that we ourselves play in the world and the impact that our actions have on those around us. It is a poem that demands our attention and our engagement, and that continues to inspire and challenge us today.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
The Parable Of The Old Men And The Young: A Poem That Resonates Even Today
Wilfred Owen, the renowned poet of the First World War, wrote The Parable Of The Old Men And The Young in 1918. The poem is a retelling of the biblical story of Abraham and Isaac, where Abraham is asked to sacrifice his son Isaac as a test of his faith. However, in Owen's version, the poem takes a different turn, where Abraham is shown to be willing to sacrifice his son, but a young man intervenes and breaks the cycle of violence. The poem is a powerful commentary on the futility of war and the need for a new generation to break away from the old ways of thinking.
The poem begins with a reference to the biblical story of Abraham and Isaac, where Abraham is asked to sacrifice his son as a test of his faith. The first stanza sets the tone of the poem, where Owen questions the wisdom of the old men who have led the world into war. He writes, "So Abram rose, and clave the wood, and went, And took the fire with him, and a knife. And as they sojourned both of them together, Isaac the first-born spake and said, My Father, Behold the preparations, fire and iron, But where the lamb for this burnt-offering?" The old men, represented by Abraham, are willing to sacrifice the young, represented by Isaac, for their own gain. The young are left to question the wisdom of their elders, who have led them into a world of violence and destruction.
The second stanza of the poem introduces a young man who questions the old ways of thinking. He asks, "And Abraham lifted up his eyes and looked, and behold behind him a ram caught in a thicket by his horns. And Abraham went and took the ram, and offered him up for a burnt-offering in the stead of his son." The young man sees the ram caught in the thicket and realizes that there is another way. He breaks the cycle of violence by offering the ram as a sacrifice instead of Isaac. The young man represents a new generation that is willing to question the old ways of thinking and find new solutions to the problems of the world.
The third stanza of the poem is a powerful commentary on the futility of war. Owen writes, "And the Angel of the Lord called Abraham, saying, By myself have I sworn, saith the Lord, for because thou hast done this thing, and hast not withheld thy son, thine only son, That in blessing I will bless thee, and in multiplying I will multiply thy seed as the stars of the heaven, and as the sand which is upon the sea shore; and thy seed shall possess the gate of his enemies; And in thy seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed; because thou hast obeyed my voice." The old men, represented by Abraham, are willing to sacrifice the young for their own gain. However, the young man breaks the cycle of violence and finds a new solution. The poem is a powerful commentary on the futility of war and the need for a new generation to break away from the old ways of thinking.
The fourth stanza of the poem is a call to action for the young. Owen writes, "But the old man would not so, but slew his son, And half the seed of Europe, one by one." The old men, represented by Abraham, are willing to sacrifice the young for their own gain. The young must break away from the old ways of thinking and find new solutions to the problems of the world. The poem is a call to action for the young to take charge of their own destiny and create a better world.
The Parable Of The Old Men And The Young is a powerful poem that resonates even today. The poem is a commentary on the futility of war and the need for a new generation to break away from the old ways of thinking. The old men, represented by Abraham, are willing to sacrifice the young for their own gain. However, the young man breaks the cycle of violence and finds a new solution. The poem is a call to action for the young to take charge of their own destiny and create a better world.
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