speech-to fight for ones country
xThe topic in which we are currently learning is war poetry in WW1. Although wars have existed for millennia’s, WW1 was an especially destructive and horrible conflict, partly because of the endless digging and defending trenches, and partly because it involved machinery of destruction in the form of airplanes to tanks, artillery and poison gas. There were countless of soldiers who went to this war, Siegfried Sassoon was one of them. During this war, he had experienced the horrors of war, he had written many poems about it, and one of his many poems- I have chosen the poem Suicide in the Trenches for my speech.
In this poem, there are several main themes, ideas and perspectives about war. This poem talks about the survival of the young soldier who survived, addressing to the people left at home of all the hardships that they go through in the trenches. These show us: The destructive effects of the war; anger at the glorification of war; Disillusionment; The corruption of innocence; and the Futility of the war.
Siegfried uses many techniques to convey his message in this poem. The title “Suicide in the Trenches” is an example irony. During WW1 one would not commit suicide in the trenches. Trenches were a place where you had cover from the enemy fire, not to shoot yourself in. The title gives us an idea of the conditions in the trenches that may have forced a person to suicide in the trench.
The first verse, the first line “I knew a simple soldier boy” has the technique symbolism and alliteration in the words “simple soldier”. This criticizes the early age of the soldiers. There is emphasis on the words “soldier boy” telling us that even though he is a soldier, he is still a boy on the inside. The words “empty joy” in line 2 tries to explain the lack of aims in life of these young soldiers, which also gives us a sense of sadness for these soldiers.
In the 2nd stanza, the 1st line shows us the mood of the soldiers in the trenches with the words “cowed and
In this poem, there are several main themes, ideas and perspectives about war. This poem talks about the survival of the young soldier who survived, addressing to the people left at home of all the hardships that they go through in the trenches. These show us: The destructive effects of the war; anger at the glorification of war; Disillusionment; The corruption of innocence; and the Futility of the war.
Siegfried uses many techniques to convey his message in this poem. The title “Suicide in the Trenches” is an example irony. During WW1 one would not commit suicide in the trenches. Trenches were a place where you had cover from the enemy fire, not to shoot yourself in. The title gives us an idea of the conditions in the trenches that may have forced a person to suicide in the trench.
The first verse, the first line “I knew a simple soldier boy” has the technique symbolism and alliteration in the words “simple soldier”. This criticizes the early age of the soldiers. There is emphasis on the words “soldier boy” telling us that even though he is a soldier, he is still a boy on the inside. The words “empty joy” in line 2 tries to explain the lack of aims in life of these young soldiers, which also gives us a sense of sadness for these soldiers.
In the 2nd stanza, the 1st line shows us the mood of the soldiers in the trenches with the words “cowed and