Anthem for Doomed Youth

Wilfred Owen

Do Now: Your Generation

a) Provide 2-3 aspects of society today that will impact positively on the future of your generation. Explain your answers.

b) Provide 2-3 aspects of society today that will impact negatively on the future of your generation. Explain your answers.

The old man told me I could never understand the enthusiasm to join up in the first world war. “It was the feeling of national pride of

King and country.” “You must have seen the tens of thousands waiting outside the

recruiting offices on the old films, they wanted to have a crack at the Hun.”  Propaganda in

many forms was rife and found its target in a worried and angry people on both German and

British sides.

Propaganda may be described as information, especially of a biased or misleading nature, used to promote a political cause or point of

view.

World War One – Propaganda PostersThis poster was designed by the British

government. It was placed in public places such as railway stations. It was designed to encourage men to enlist in the army to

fight in World War One.

The old man told me I could never understand the enthusiasm to join up in the first world

war.

“It was the feeling of national pride of King and country.” “You must have seen the tens of thousands waiting outside the recruiting

offices on the old films, they wanted to have a crack at the Hun.” 

Propaganda in many forms was rife and found its target in a worried and angry people on

both German and British sides.

War Propaganda

(“Hun” was a word used to describe a German soldier.)

Wilfred Owen’s poetry is often critical of the English Government for the propaganda it produced to promote the World War One.

What might he consider misleading about these two posters?

JingoismJingoism is chauvinistic patriotism. In practice, it refers to sections of the general public who advocate bullying other countries or using whatever means necessary (usually military force) to safeguard a country's national interests.

Anthem for the Doomed Youth

Listen to the poem being read aloud and complete the following tasks: Make a list of the key issues that Wilfred Owen is exploring in this poem What is your favourite line of the poem.? Explain why. How does this poem link to what you already know about Wilfred Owen’s experiences at war? Share your ideas with your group

“Anthem of Doomed Youth”

Wilfred Owen's poem, "Anthem for Doomed Youth" (1917), is a sensitive expression of the sadness and futility (uselessness) which arise as a result of the death of young men on the battlefield. This theme stemmed from Owen's own experiences with shell shock as a soldier on the frontlines during World War One. In order to express his theme, Owen mixes the chaotic, explosive images of a battle with the sad, calm images of a funeral.

A Student Sample

Homework

• Read the notes provided on Anthem for Doomed Youth and use these to add annotations to your copy of the poem

• Please have this completed by tomorrow

Do Now

• Write down two interesting things you learned about the poem, Anthem for Doomed Youth from your reading last night.

Have your daily dosage of the medicinal “Vocabulary Inflator!”

Terms in “Anthem for Doomed Youth”

Anthem: song of praise, national hymn

Doomed: to destine or condemn to death or a terrible fate

Orisons: prayer

Mockeries: to ridicule or show scorn or contempt

Choir: organised group of singers

Shrill: emitting a sharp and high pitched sound

Demented: mad, insane

Wailing: a prolonged high –pitched mournful cry or sound

Shires: a rural district having its own local council

Pallor: to have an unnaturally pale condition, the whiteness of the skin

Brow: the part of the face from the eyes to the hairline; forehead; appearance

Pall: the cloth used in religious ceremonies, often used to cover coffins or the Eucharist

The Summary

Trench Fever

Written at Craiglockhart, a war hospital where Owen was rested for 4 months after contracting Trench fever, this poem was probably inspired by the casualties he saw each day as young, dead faces passed from his sight daily and his experiences on the battlefield. Though it has been edited and reworked several times, it is considered one of his masterpieces.

In this sonnet, Owen angrily argues that war is pitiful. He states his claim against the meaningless slaughter of young men in the war as he exposes that they die like animals, without any ritual to mark their death. Interestingly Owen uses the word “mockeries” to represent the word rituals.

*What do you think he is trying to say about the way people mourn for the dead?

In the poem his anger is evident as he questions the ceremonies for the dead soldiers and argues that war causes the loss of an entire generation of young men, hence the phrase “doomed youth” in the title. *Is Owen really upset that the soldiers do not have religious rituals to mark their death?

This poem illustrates the madness (shrill, demented choirs), the futility ( die as cattle) and brutality ( of war, going beyond its terrible effects on the battlefields to describe the grief of the loved ones left behind (pallor of girls brows). Furthermore, it also implies that the war will be the ruin of society through the word “doomed” in the title and the ignorance of those who continue to ignore the truth of war (drawing-down of blinds) and glorify war.

His Structure

Sonnet

The term "sonnet" derives from the Italian word "sonetto," meaning "little song." By the thirteenth century, it had come to signify a poem of fourteen lines that follows a strict rhyme scheme and logical structure. The conventions associated with the sonnet have evolved over its history. The writers of sonnets are known as "sonneteers."

The poem was written in the form of an Italian Sonnet, and thus it has fourteen lines which are divided into an octave (eight lines) and a sestet (six lines).

(Please note: Owen does not use the conventional Italian sonnet rhyme scheme.)

Italian Sonnet

The Style

Elegy

Elegy: a poem of mourning, from the Greek elegos, a reflection on the death of someone or on a sorrow generally. In addition, an elegy may be a type of musical work, usually in a sad and somber attitude. It is not to be confused with a eulogy.

Questions

• Complete the questions from the worksheet

• TEE- Table

In what ways does the poet draw you into the world of the poetry?

Essay Question:

Make a list of at least five steps

you would take to plan your essay.

Make a list of at least five steps you would take

to plan your essay.Steps

• Decode the question

• Restate the question

• Construct a thesis

• Decide which examples to use

• Decide which techniques I will be highlighting

• Outline my essay. (Using a tree?)

In what ways does the poet draw you into the world of the poetry?

Deconstruct the question:

Draw:

• interest

• captivate

• attract

• pull in

• engage

• awareness

What is the “world” of his poetry?

His world: Soldiers, War, Suffering, Death, True Experiences of War, His indignation of war

Thesis Points

What is captivating about this poem?

a)It is a lament for the soldiers whose lives were unnecessarily lost.

In what ways does the poet draw you into the world of the poetry?

Restate the question:

Wilfred Owen draws the reader into the world of his poetry by expressing his indignation of those who

falsely promote war.

Wilfred Owen is able to captivate readers, by exposing the horrific experiences soldiers had on

the battlefield.

Wilfred Owen engages readers by conveying the futility of war, through subtle reminders of what

should matter to the youth of a nation.

Broad Thesis Point

Wilfred Owen’s Poetry sought to expose the horrific realities of war to those at home in

England.

Introduction:

Wilfred Owen lived and wrote poetry during the first world war. His poem, “Anthem for Doomed Youth” is a lament for the soldiers whose lives were unnecessarily lost during this time. He was a soldier on the front lines and desperately sought to expose the horrific realities of war to those at home in England. This poem attempts to exposes these realities why discussing…

The following messages were sent by Wilfred Owen in his three poems, The Send-off, Dulce et Decorum Est, and Anthem for

Doomed Youth.

Copy the messages and decide which poems best support this thesis.

• Wilfred Owen expresses his indignation of war.• In war, soldiers experience tremendous and ongoing suffering.• War is futile, as the sheer waste of life is not acceptable. • Wilfred Owen is critical of those who glorify war.• The horrors of war are vile and the outcome devastating.

How can you make this thesis point more sophisticated?

Wilfred Owen captivates readers by exposing the horrific experiences soldiers have in war and by revealing his personal indignation towards combat.

Wilfred Owen captivates readers by exposing the horrific experiences soldiers have in war and by revealing his personal indignation towards combat. Specifically, his poetry creates a disturbingly clear picture of the tremendous and ongoing suffering experienced by the young men, describes its horrible and vile nature, and criticises society for it’s glorification of warfare.

Wilfred Owen captivates readers by exposing the horrific experiences soldiers have in war and by revealing his personal indignation towards combat. Specifically, his poetry creates a disturbingly clear picture of the tremendous and ongoing suffering experienced by the young men, expresses the futility of war because of the vast number of men who never come home, and criticises society for it’s glorification of warfare.

Thesis Points

Which poems will best

support your thesis?

Do Now –Youth Issues

Make a list of five things that stand in the way of the youth of Australia living a full life?

Do Now- Instead of saying the composer…

Read the handout provided

Wilfred Owen’s reputation is in jeopardy! A recent group of misguided poetry activists, by the name of ‘The Anti-Owen’s’, claim his poetry is disrespectful and insulting towards soldiers. To support of their accusations and try to infuriate the public they have been known to quote lines from ‘The Send-Off’ and ‘Anthem of the Doomed’. For example, they disapprove of Owen stating that soldier’s “creep back” upon returning from war and that he compares them to them to “cattle”.

They have petitioned Australia’s most widely subscribed poetry magazine, the NPMM (National Poetry Monthly Magazine), to join their Anti-Owen campaign. If the NPMM agrees, The Anti-Owen’s plan to publish articles that discredit Wilfred Owen’s work. They also plan to make 4th November Anti-Wilfred Owen Day. How revolting!

You can’t let this happen! You know the truth!

Write a letter to the NPMM defending Owen’s reputation as voice for soldiers. In your letter discuss how the accusations of The Anti-Owen’s are false.

Discuss and quote his poetry to support your argument.

Wilfred Owen needs your help!

Possible Thesis PointsPossible Thesis Points

1)The Anti-Wilfred Owen group has misinterpreted the meaning of Owen’s poetry. Though he is an anti-war poet his poem are meant to give soldiers a voice, not discredit them.

2)Wilfred Owen Poetry is not meant to be disrespectful; his poetry is meant to make people aware of the reality of trench soldier's lives.

Do Now-JingoismJingoism is chauvinistic patriotism. In practice, it refers to sections of the general public who advocate bullying other countries or using whatever means necessary (usually military force) to safeguard a country's national interests.

AbstractWilfred Owen's poem, "Anthem for Doomed Youth," is a poem that explores the dark and painful side of war. The paper explains that this poem is interesting in that it is constructed in a traditional sonnet form, which is a form generally associated with love and the positive aspects of being in love. The writer points out, however, that the sonnet operates in the opposite way uncovering the devastating effects of patriotic love. Through irony, imagery, personification, metaphor, and other literary devices, Owen brings the sonnet to life by paralleling the experience of war with a funeral.

From the Paper"The poet utilizes irony with the very structure of the poem, which is a variation of a traditional sonnet. The rhyme scheme of the poem is ababcdcdeffegg with an iambic pentameter rhythm. While the poem may have the form of what we generally associate with love poetry, the meaning of "Anthem for Doomed Youth" revolves around anger and sorrow. It is important to note that these emotions stem from the patriotic love that is often used to sell war to men too young to comprehend the risk involved in fighting. Here the love is short-lived and pretentious at best. This irony helps the poet express his overall feeling of indignation and disgust at war."  

As in most sonnets, the rhythm of "Anthem for Doomed Youth" is based on the accents and pauses of iambic pentameter. In other words, each line has five beats, and each beat utilizes the pattern of an unstressed syllable followed by a stressed..."

You be the judge!

Antielegy: expresses a "refusal to mourn”?”

Elegy: a poem of mourning”?

Antielegy?

Antielegy: expresses a "refusal to mourn”

Wilfred Owen’s famous declaration that his war poems were “in no sense consolatory” create the sense that his poems resist the redemptive rhetoric, thinking, and imagery traditionally ingrained in poetry of mourning. Do they mourn without healing? Do they touch the communal wounds of grief without closing them up. Anything more comforting would risk serving a nationalist, religious, or aesthetic logic of substitution, in which individual lives are redeemed in the life of the nation, institution, or artwork. In Owen’s typically non consoling elegy, “Futility,” he does not represent the war victim as mounting high as the risen sun; instead, the poet angrily dismisses “fatuous sunbeams” as unable to “stir” a dead soldier back to life, any more than his poetry can work such recuperative magic.

Lesson outline

1)Read the poem “Anthem of Doomed Youth

2)Annotate poem with new vocabulary and techniques

3)Read the analysis sheets and decide which we most agree with

4)Annotate poem again

5)Fill in technique charts

Shell ShockCombat stress reaction, commonly known as shell

shock, is a term used to categorize the long-term results of stress in war conditions during World War I and World War II.

The most common symptoms are fatigue, slower reaction times, indecision, disconnection from one's surroundings, and inability to prioritize. More severe symptoms include

In WWI, shell shock was considered a psychiatric illness resulting from injury to the nerves during combat.

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