Wilfred Owen’s poetry is one of the most widely studied texts in English Standard and deservedly so. Owen’s poetry is rich in vivid imagery that illustrates the horrific physical and psychological torment that soldiers experienced during WW1.
With that said, Owen’s poetry can be tricky for HSC students to analyse given the complex and mature nature of his poetry.
Owen’s poetry is studied under Module B: Close Study of Text. To succeed in this Module, English Standard HSC students have to effectively demonstrate the following point:
- A clear understanding of a text’s distinctive qualities and how these shape meaning
In other words, markers will be assessing English students on how well they are able to appreciate how a text’s language, form and presentation allows it to create meaning and new perspectives on complicated issues such as war etc.
Boldtutor now presents more essay writing samples answering the 2015 HSC question focusing on Owen’s poetry. Please use this as a blueprint and guide to improve your writing come the HSC.
Introduction sample – Module B: Wilfred Owen war poetry
Wilfred Owen’s melancholic and critical portrayal of loss in his poetry is shaped by his direct experiences fighting in the Battle of the Somme during WW1. He presents a deeply emotional and intense focus on the needless sacrifice of many young soldiers during war. Furthermore, Owen’s poetry details how such loss negatively affected the lives of young soldiers, coupled with a strong critique on the lack of proper tribute to soldiers who had passed away in battle. Poems such as ‘Dulce et Decorum Est’, ‘Anthem for Doomed Youth’ and ‘Futility’ each portray highly fascinating perspectives on loss that have served to convince readers to adopt a more cynical mindset on previously glorified ideas focusing on the honour gained when dying for one’s country on the battlefield.
Body paragraph sample – Module B – Wilfred Owen war poetry
Perhaps Owen’s most philosophical and emotional portrayal of loss is in the poem ‘Futility’. The poem presents a melancholic portrait of an unidentified dying soldier slowly freezing to death, despite futile assistance from other soldiers trying to save him. In their hopeless attempt to ‘break…sleep’, Owen personifies the soldiers’ desperate effort to save a dying comrade from the hands of death. Despite their admirable endeavor, the failed attempt to save the young soldier’s life is symbolic of the millions of futile deaths that occurred throughout WW1, thus shedding further light on the bitterness, anguish and despair of soldiers who lost loved ones on the battlefield. Such a heartbreaking portrayal of loss in ‘Futility’ helps Owen emphasize his grievance and melancholy surrounding the horribly inhumane nature of a war responsible for destroying millions of innocent young lives. As a result of his frustration, Owen goes on to question the meaning of life on earth, even suggesting that the world would be better off without the human race. The two rhetorical questions ‘Was it for this the clay grew tall?’…What made fatuous sunbeams toil to break the earth’s sleep at all?’ exemplifies Owen’s reflective mindset on the pointlessness of human life on earth. The reference to ‘clay’ alludes to humanity’s evolution, and it could serve as a subtle critique of Prometheus’ decision to create humanity and provide them with the fire they needed to develop into the advanced and cruel beings portrayed in Owen’s poetry. The critical allusion to Prometheus’ actions in creating mankind thus reveals Owen’s highly condemnable view on humanity’s complete disregard for human life. Such a view is also strengthened with Owen’s inquest regarding the ‘fatuous sunbeams’ and their role in creating a human species keen on facilitating their own extinction. Like ‘Dulce et Decorum Est’ and ‘Anthem for Doomed Youth’, Owen’s ‘Futility’ serves as another hallmark to man’s inhumanity towards man, thus further highlighting the lack of emotional connection we have for true human loss.
Conclusion sample – Module B – Wilfred Owen war poetry
Owen’s depiction of the emotional turmoil, indifference and complete disregard for human life in his poems encourages readers to adopt a highly critical view on war, violence and conflict. His poems ‘Dulce et Decorum Est’, ‘Anthem for Doomed Youth’ and ‘Futility’ each present fragments of the emotional and spiritual damage that soldiers suffered as a result of experiencing loss. Moreover, the lack of care and respect shown to soldiers who sacrificed their lives on the battlefield further epitomizes Owen’s embittered and enlightening insight into loss – an insight that continues to hold great relevance today.
For more analysis or insight into Wilfred Owen’s poetry or any other English texts, simply contact us, leave a comment or request a quote for a tuition lesson that will help you master the English HSC syllabus.
