Background Information

Make sure to answer all the questions marked in bold in your short response. 

Wilfred Owen was born in 1893 to English parents.  He was raised by a devoutly religious mother but became increasingly critical of the role of the church in society as he grew older.  When World War I began, Owen had difficulty deciding whether or not to fight.  Finally, he enlisted.  He fought from January to May 1917 as an officer.  From there he was sent to the Edinburgh hospital to overcome his shell shock.  While in the hospital he met another poet, Sassoon, who wrote fiercely realistic war poems.  He had a great influence on Owen, who at this time began to change his own style of poetry.  From this point on, Owen's poetry reflects his experiences in World War I.  As you read this poem, consider how it reflects his experiences in the war.  What is this poem describing?

Owen's poetry was immensely popular among other poets of his day, partially as a result of Owen's alliteration, onomatopoeia, assonance, and half-rhyme.  He also pioneered a new type of rhyme that he often used in his poetry: pararhyme.  Pararhyme occurs when he rhymes two words with identical or similar consonants but differing, stressed vowels, where the second vowel is usually lower in pitch.  For example, hall and hell are pararhyme.  Pararhyme produces effects of dissonance, failure, and unfulfillment which subtly reinforce the themes in his poetry.  As you read this poem, try to pick out as many of these poetic techniques as you can.  He was a master of crafting language; how does he use it to his advantage?  How does he create tone, mood, and theme through these poetical devices? 

Shelley, another famous poet, once said, "Poetry is a mirror which makes beautiful that which is distorted...It exalts the beauty of that which is most beautiful, and it adds beauty to that which is most deformed; it marries exultation and horror."  Consider this statement in relation to Owen's poem.  How does he marry horror and beauty in his poetry?  Do you think it is appropriate for him to do so? 

Unfortunately, Owen's poetry is not as prolific as other poets; he died in battle one week before World War I came to an end.