'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
A Deep Dive into Wilfred Owen's "Conscious"
Wilfred Owen, the celebrated British poet, was known for his poignant war poetry that reflected the horrors of World War I. One of his most striking poems is "Conscious," which captures the tension between life and death, sanity and insanity, and the human desire for meaning in a world of chaos. In this literary criticism and interpretation, we will explore the themes, literary devices, and historical context of this beautiful and haunting poem.
Background and Historical Context
"Conscious" was written in 1917, during the height of World War I, when Owen was serving as a soldier in the British Army. The poem was part of a series of war poems that Owen wrote during his time in the trenches, where he witnessed firsthand the atrocities of war, including the use of chemical warfare, the destruction of cities and landscapes, and the loss of countless lives.
The poem was written at a time when many soldiers were struggling with the psychological effects of war, including shell shock, a condition that manifested in a range of symptoms, including anxiety, insomnia, nightmares, and flashbacks. Owen himself suffered from shell shock and was sent to a hospital in Scotland for treatment.
Against this backdrop of war and trauma, "Conscious" explores the inner turmoil of a soldier who is grappling with the meaning of life and death, reality and illusion, and the fragility of the human mind.
Literary Analysis
Structure
"Conscious" is a short poem that consists of two stanzas, each with four lines. The poem follows a simple rhyme scheme of ABAB, with the first and third lines rhyming and the second and fourth lines rhyming. The poem is written in iambic tetrameter, which means that each line has four stressed syllables, followed by four unstressed syllables.
The poem's structure is simple and understated, which reflects the poem's theme of the fragility of the human mind. The poem's brevity and simplicity also make it a powerful statement, as the poem's message is conveyed through sparse and carefully chosen words.
Themes
The themes of "Conscious" are many and varied, reflecting the complexity of human experience. Some of the most prominent themes in the poem include:
Life and Death
One of the central themes of "Conscious" is the tension between life and death, and the question of what makes life worth living. The poem suggests that life is fleeting and fragile, and that death is always lurking around the corner. The poem also suggests that death is not necessarily a bad thing, as it can bring release and peace from the horrors of war.
Sanity and Insanity
Another prominent theme in the poem is the tension between sanity and insanity, and the question of what constitutes reality. The poem suggests that the human mind is fragile and easily swayed by illusion, and that sanity is not necessarily the norm in a world of chaos and horror. The poem also suggests that madness can be a form of escape from the horrors of war.
Meaning and Purpose
Finally, the poem explores the question of meaning and purpose in life, and the human desire for something to believe in. The poem suggests that the search for meaning is a fundamental human drive, and that it is often elusive and difficult to find. The poem also suggests that the horrors of war can rob people of their sense of purpose and meaning, leaving them adrift in a sea of chaos and despair.
Literary Devices
"Conscious" makes use of several literary devices to convey its themes and message. Some of the most notable devices include:
Metaphor
The poem makes use of metaphor to compare life to a candle, which is fragile and easily extinguished. The metaphor serves to underscore the poem's message about the fragility of life, and the need to cherish every moment.
Personification
The poem personifies death as a friend who comes to offer release and peace. The personification serves to soften the harshness of death, and to suggest that it is not necessarily a bad thing.
Imagery
The poem makes use of vivid imagery to convey the horrors of war and the fragility of the human mind. The imagery of shattered glass and misty vapors serves to create a sense of disorientation and uncertainty, while the imagery of the candle and the friend serves to create a sense of comfort and hope.
Interpretation
"Conscious" is a powerful and haunting poem that speaks to the human experience of war and trauma. The poem suggests that life is fragile and easily extinguished, and that the horrors of war can rob people of their sense of purpose and meaning. The poem also suggests that the human mind is easily swayed by illusion, and that sanity is not necessarily the norm in a world of chaos and horror.
The poem's message is both poignant and timeless, as it speaks to the fragility of human existence and the need to cherish every moment. The poem also speaks to the human desire for something to believe in, and the search for meaning and purpose in a world that often seems devoid of both.
Conclusion
"Conscious" is a beautiful and haunting poem that captures the essence of the human experience of war and trauma. Through its use of metaphor, personification, and vivid imagery, the poem conveys a message of hope and comfort in the face of uncertainty and despair. The poem's brevity and simplicity make it a powerful statement, as the poem's message is conveyed through sparse and carefully chosen words. Overall, "Conscious" is a masterpiece of war poetry, and a testament to the enduring power of the human spirit.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Conscious: A Poem of Wilfred Owen
Wilfred Owen is one of the most celebrated poets of the First World War. His poems are known for their vivid imagery, powerful emotions, and deep insights into the human condition. One of his most famous poems is Conscious, which explores the theme of consciousness and its relationship to war. In this article, we will analyze and explain this classic poem in detail.
Conscious is a short poem consisting of only six lines. However, within these six lines, Owen manages to convey a profound message about the nature of war and its impact on the human psyche. The poem begins with the line, "His fingers wake, and flutter up the bed." This line sets the tone for the rest of the poem, as it suggests a sense of awakening or consciousness. The use of the word "flutter" also creates a sense of fragility and vulnerability, which is a recurring theme in Owen's poetry.
The second line of the poem reads, "His eyes come open with a pull of will." This line suggests that the speaker is struggling to regain consciousness, as if he is fighting against some unseen force. The use of the phrase "pull of will" also suggests a sense of determination and strength, as if the speaker is willing himself to wake up.
The third line of the poem reads, "Helpless, he stares, and catches at the air." This line is particularly powerful, as it suggests a sense of desperation and helplessness. The use of the word "helpless" creates a sense of vulnerability, while the phrase "catches at the air" suggests a sense of grasping for something that is just out of reach. This line is also significant because it suggests that the speaker is struggling to come to terms with his surroundings, as if he is disoriented or confused.
The fourth line of the poem reads, "Kingdoms of light recur to him." This line is particularly interesting, as it suggests a sense of transcendence or enlightenment. The use of the word "kingdoms" creates a sense of grandeur and majesty, while the phrase "recur to him" suggests a sense of familiarity or recognition. This line is also significant because it suggests that the speaker is experiencing some sort of spiritual awakening, as if he is seeing things in a new light.
The fifth line of the poem reads, "His life is a forgotten dream." This line is particularly poignant, as it suggests a sense of loss and regret. The use of the word "forgotten" creates a sense of sadness and melancholy, while the phrase "dream" suggests a sense of unreality or impermanence. This line is also significant because it suggests that the speaker is struggling to come to terms with his own mortality, as if he is realizing that his life is fleeting and ephemeral.
The final line of the poem reads, "He struggles to stir and wakes to a new despair." This line is particularly powerful, as it suggests a sense of hopelessness and despair. The use of the word "struggles" creates a sense of struggle and effort, while the phrase "new despair" suggests a sense of hopelessness and resignation. This line is also significant because it suggests that the speaker is struggling to come to terms with the reality of his situation, as if he is realizing that there is no escape from the horrors of war.
In conclusion, Conscious is a powerful and poignant poem that explores the theme of consciousness and its relationship to war. Through vivid imagery and powerful emotions, Wilfred Owen manages to convey a profound message about the nature of war and its impact on the human psyche. The poem is a testament to Owen's skill as a poet and his ability to capture the essence of the human experience. It is a poem that will continue to resonate with readers for generations to come.
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