Anthem for Doomed Youth
SABRINA & PHOEBE (L6)
Comment closely on how the poet presents conflict in ‘Anthem for Doomed Youth’.
Judging from the title of this poem; most readers may assume that this poem revolves around the theme of young people. Yet; upon close analysis; it is evident that this poem revolves around the theme of destruction and horrors which are caused by a war. In line with this; it should be noted that the writer of the poem was heavily critical of war as he once served in as an army in World war One. Or rather; it could be said that the theme of the poem is closely related to the writer’s personal experience. The conflict between humankind and religion could also be seen in the poem. Nevertheless; the techniques incorporated in the poem had largely highlighted the conflicts in war and how it affects humankind.
First and foremost; it should be pointed out that the poem is a petrarchan sonnet. Sonnets usually functions as a presentation for love. Yet; what could be seen in the poem seems to be fairly the opposite. Instead; poem itself centralizes on the horrors of war and destruction. There could be several reasons for this. It could represent the love lives or relationships of young soldiers who serve in the war. This leaves a very deep impact in readers as it is certainly heart-breaking to know that these young, innocent soldiers are doomed to fall in the battlefields.
The title of the poem; which begins with the word ‘Anthem’ can also be interpreted in alternative ways. Firstly, it reflects the poet’s anger towards war that there is an urge give it a song-like form (anthem) so as to remind people of the effects of war. This could possibly be due to the fact that songs are easily remembered; hence; people will remember the war through this anthem. Alternatively, it could be said that the purpose of the word ‘anthem’ is to give readers a visualization of the structured and organized lives in the army.
With regards to the rhyming scheme of this poem which
Comment closely on how the poet presents conflict in ‘Anthem for Doomed Youth’.
Judging from the title of this poem; most readers may assume that this poem revolves around the theme of young people. Yet; upon close analysis; it is evident that this poem revolves around the theme of destruction and horrors which are caused by a war. In line with this; it should be noted that the writer of the poem was heavily critical of war as he once served in as an army in World war One. Or rather; it could be said that the theme of the poem is closely related to the writer’s personal experience. The conflict between humankind and religion could also be seen in the poem. Nevertheless; the techniques incorporated in the poem had largely highlighted the conflicts in war and how it affects humankind.
First and foremost; it should be pointed out that the poem is a petrarchan sonnet. Sonnets usually functions as a presentation for love. Yet; what could be seen in the poem seems to be fairly the opposite. Instead; poem itself centralizes on the horrors of war and destruction. There could be several reasons for this. It could represent the love lives or relationships of young soldiers who serve in the war. This leaves a very deep impact in readers as it is certainly heart-breaking to know that these young, innocent soldiers are doomed to fall in the battlefields.
The title of the poem; which begins with the word ‘Anthem’ can also be interpreted in alternative ways. Firstly, it reflects the poet’s anger towards war that there is an urge give it a song-like form (anthem) so as to remind people of the effects of war. This could possibly be due to the fact that songs are easily remembered; hence; people will remember the war through this anthem. Alternatively, it could be said that the purpose of the word ‘anthem’ is to give readers a visualization of the structured and organized lives in the army.
With regards to the rhyming scheme of this poem which