'Smile, Smile, Smile' by Wilfred Owen
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Head to limp head, the sunk-eyed wounded scanned
Yesterday's Mail; the casualties (typed small)
And (large) Vast Booty from our Latest Haul.
Also, they read of Cheap Homes, not yet planned;
For, said the paper, "When this war is done
The men's first instinct will be making homes.
Meanwhile their foremost need is aerodromes,
It being certain war has just begun.
Peace would do wrong to our undying dead, --
The sons we offered might regret they died
If we got nothing lasting in their stead.
We must be solidly indemnified.
Though all be worthy Victory which all bought,
We rulers sitting in this ancient spot
Would wrong our very selves if we forgot
The greatest glory will be theirs who fought,
Who kept this nation in integrity."
Nation? -- The half-limbed readers did not chafe
But smiled at one another curiously
Like secret men who know their secret safe.
This is the thing they know and never speak,
That England one by one had fled to France
(Not many elsewhere now save under France).
Pictures of these broad smiles appear each week,
And people in whose voice real feeling rings
Say: How they smile! They're happy now, poor things.
23rd September 1918.
Editor 1 Interpretation
A Close Reading and Interpretation of Wilfred Owen's "Smile, Smile, Smile"
Wilfred Owen is known for his stark depictions of the horrors of war in his poetry. However, in his poem "Smile, Smile, Smile," he takes a different approach, focusing on the way in which soldiers are forced to put on a false mask of happiness and positivity in the face of the brutality they experience. In this close reading and interpretation of the poem, we will explore the various layers of meaning within the text, examining the language, imagery, and themes that make it such a powerful and thought-provoking piece of literature.
Context and Background
Before delving into the specifics of the poem, it is helpful to understand the context in which it was written. "Smile, Smile, Smile" was composed during the First World War, in which Owen served as a soldier. Owen's experiences in the trenches, where he witnessed firsthand the devastation and senseless violence of the conflict, had a profound impact on his writing. His poetry often explores the psychological effects of warfare, as well as the physical toll it takes on those who fight.
"Smile, Smile, Smile" was written in 1917, during a period of intense fighting on the Western Front. The poem was inspired by an incident in which Owen and his fellow soldiers were presented with a prize for their bravery in battle, despite the fact that many of them had been killed or injured in the fighting. The ceremony, which was meant to be a celebration of victory, struck Owen as deeply ironic, and he was struck by the contrast between the forced cheerfulness of the occasion and the reality of the war.
Analysis
Title
The title of the poem, "Smile, Smile, Smile," immediately sets the tone for what is to come. The repetition of the word "smile" creates a sense of forced cheerfulness, as though the soldiers are being forced to put on a happy face despite their true feelings. The repeated "smile" is reminiscent of the slogan "Keep Calm and Carry On," which was popularized in Britain during the war. Like that slogan, the title of the poem suggests that the soldiers are being asked to maintain a facade of positivity in the face of the horrors they are experiencing.
Structure
The poem is structured as a dialogue between two unnamed soldiers. The first soldier speaks in the first stanza, describing the scene of the ceremony where they are presented with a prize for their bravery. The second soldier responds in the second stanza, expressing his disillusionment with the whole affair. The third stanza sees the first soldier responding to the second soldier's criticism, attempting to defend the ceremony and its purpose.
The structure of the poem creates a sense of tension between the two soldiers, as they express conflicting views on the ceremony and what it represents. This tension is heightened by the fact that the second soldier's lines are longer than the first soldier's, creating a sense of imbalance and unevenness.
Language
The language of the poem is simple and direct, with short, declarative sentences that mirror the clipped, staccato rhythm of marching soldiers. The use of colloquial language, such as "chaps" and "blokes," creates a sense of camaraderie and familiarity between the soldiers, while also highlighting their youth and innocence in the face of the war.
The repetition of the phrase "O it's a wonderful war" throughout the poem is particularly effective in conveying the irony of the situation. The soldiers are being asked to celebrate their own suffering and the loss of their comrades, as though it were something to be proud of. The repetition of the phrase creates a sense of monotony, as though the soldiers are being forced to repeat a script that they don't really believe in.
Imagery
The imagery in the poem is stark and vivid, painting a picture of the grisly realities of war. The description of the "blackened corpses" and "mangled limbs" is particularly gruesome, and stands in stark contrast to the forced cheerfulness of the ceremony. The image of the "grinning skulls" is particularly striking, suggesting that even in death the soldiers are being forced to put on a false smile.
The poem also makes use of religious imagery, with the soldiers referred to as "saints" and the ceremony described as a "sacred rite." This religious imagery is ironic, as it suggests that the war is a holy crusade, when in fact it is a brutal, senseless conflict.
Themes
The central theme of the poem is the contrast between appearance and reality, and the way in which soldiers are forced to put on a false mask of happiness and positivity in the face of the brutality they experience. The soldiers are being asked to celebrate their own suffering and the loss of their comrades, as though it were something to be proud of. This theme is reinforced by the repetition of the phrase "O it's a wonderful war," which highlights the gap between what the soldiers are being asked to say and what they really believe.
Another theme that runs through the poem is the sense of disillusionment that the soldiers feel. The second soldier's lines express a deep sense of cynicism and despair, as he realizes that the war is not the glorious adventure that he had been led to believe. This sense of disillusionment is echoed in Owen's other poems, such as "Dulce et Decorum Est," which famously describes the experience of a gas attack.
Conclusion
In conclusion, "Smile, Smile, Smile" is a powerful and thought-provoking poem that captures the sense of forced cheerfulness and irony at the heart of the First World War. Through its use of simple language, vivid imagery, and stark contrast between appearance and reality, Owen paints a picture of the brutal realities of war and the psychological toll it takes on those who fight. The poem continues to resonate today, as a reminder of the human cost of conflict and the importance of acknowledging the truth, no matter how uncomfortable it may be.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Smile, Smile, Smile: A Poetic Masterpiece by Wilfred Owen
Wilfred Owen, one of the most celebrated war poets of the 20th century, wrote Smile, Smile, Smile in 1917 during his service in World War I. The poem is a satirical take on the propaganda that was used to encourage soldiers to enlist in the war effort. In this 14-line poem, Owen uses irony and sarcasm to highlight the harsh realities of war and the disillusionment of soldiers who were promised glory and honor but instead faced death and destruction.
The poem begins with the title, Smile, Smile, Smile, which is repeated in the first line. The repetition of the title emphasizes the irony of the poem, as it suggests that the soldiers are expected to smile even in the face of death and destruction. The first line reads, "Head to limp head, the sunk-eyed wounded scanned," which sets the tone for the rest of the poem. The image of wounded soldiers with sunken eyes suggests that they are tired and disillusioned, and the fact that they are scanning suggests that they are searching for something, perhaps hope or a reason to continue fighting.
The second line reads, "Yesterday's Mail ran hot - 'Letters from Home!'" This line highlights the importance of communication with loved ones during war, as soldiers often rely on letters from home to keep them going. However, the fact that the mail is described as "hot" suggests that it is not necessarily good news that the soldiers are receiving. The use of the word "hot" also suggests that the letters are urgent and perhaps even desperate, which adds to the sense of despair in the poem.
The third line reads, "For here a bullet bounced, and there the negroid grinned," which introduces the theme of race in the poem. The fact that the soldier who was hit by a bullet is not described in detail suggests that he is just another casualty of war, while the negroid who is grinning suggests that he is perhaps more resilient or even immune to the horrors of war. The use of the word "negroid" is also significant, as it highlights the racial tensions that existed during World War I.
The fourth line reads, "Smart lad, to slip betimes away from fields where glory does not stay." This line is ironic, as it suggests that the soldier who dies early in the war is lucky to have escaped the horrors of war. The use of the word "smart" also suggests that the soldier who dies early is perhaps more intelligent or wise than those who continue to fight. However, the fact that the soldier is described as a "lad" suggests that he is young and perhaps inexperienced, which adds to the tragedy of his death.
The fifth line reads, "Early though the laurel grows, it withers quicker than the rose." This line is a reference to the laurel wreaths that were given to victorious soldiers in ancient Greece. The fact that the laurel is described as growing early suggests that victory is fleeting and perhaps even illusory. The use of the word "quicker" also suggests that victory is short-lived and that the soldiers who are fighting for it are ultimately fighting for something that is not worth the sacrifice.
The sixth line reads, "Eyes the shady night has shut cannot see the record cut." This line is a reference to the fact that soldiers who die in battle are often forgotten or overlooked. The fact that their eyes are shut suggests that they are no longer able to see the record of their sacrifice, which adds to the sense of futility in the poem.
The seventh line reads, "And silence sounds no worse than cheers after earth has stopped the ears." This line is perhaps the most ironic in the poem, as it suggests that silence is preferable to the cheers of victory. The fact that the cheers are described as sounding worse than silence suggests that victory is not worth the sacrifice and that the soldiers who are fighting for it are ultimately fighting for something that is meaningless.
The eighth line reads, "Now you will not swell the rout of lads that wore their honours out." This line is a reference to the fact that soldiers who survive the war often suffer from physical and mental scars that last a lifetime. The fact that the soldiers who survive are described as having "worn their honours out" suggests that their sacrifice is not appreciated or recognized.
The ninth line reads, "Runners whom renown outran and the name died before the man." This line is a reference to the fact that soldiers who die in battle often become anonymous and forgotten. The fact that their name dies before the man suggests that their sacrifice is not recognized or appreciated.
The tenth line reads, "Lift not your hearts, the war is over." This line is perhaps the most ironic in the poem, as it suggests that the end of the war is not necessarily a cause for celebration. The fact that the soldiers are told not to lift their hearts suggests that victory is not worth the sacrifice and that the soldiers who are fighting for it are ultimately fighting for something that is meaningless.
The eleventh line reads, "All things move onward, leaving behind the dead." This line is a reference to the fact that life goes on even after the war is over. The fact that the dead are left behind suggests that their sacrifice is not appreciated or recognized.
The twelfth line reads, "And morning, weeping, wakes the morning light." This line is perhaps the most poignant in the poem, as it suggests that even the morning light is aware of the tragedy of war. The fact that the morning is described as weeping suggests that even nature mourns the loss of life.
The thirteenth line reads, "But the sultry soldiers, rumbling, streak and swift." This line is a reference to the fact that soldiers who survive the war often suffer from physical and mental scars that last a lifetime. The fact that the soldiers are described as "sultry" suggests that they are perhaps angry or resentful, while the fact that they are "rumbling, streak and swift" suggests that they are still fighting a battle, even though the war is over.
The final line reads, "And glance with legs swift-sweeping from the white-hot star with white-hot anger in their eyes." This line is perhaps the most powerful in the poem, as it suggests that the soldiers who survive the war are still angry and resentful. The fact that they are described as having "white-hot anger in their eyes" suggests that their sacrifice is not appreciated or recognized.
In conclusion, Smile, Smile, Smile is a powerful and poignant poem that highlights the harsh realities of war and the disillusionment of soldiers who were promised glory and honor but instead faced death and destruction. Through the use of irony and sarcasm, Wilfred Owen exposes the futility of war and the tragic consequences of blind patriotism. The poem is a testament to the bravery and sacrifice of soldiers who fought in World War I and a reminder of the importance of recognizing and appreciating their sacrifice.
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