Exposure Flashcards
(5 cards)
What is they key idea of exposure?
The Reality of War, endless waiting, cold, fear
Nature is the real enemy, personified as hostile, cruel, challenges romanticised image of war
Psychological and Emotional Trauma
Futility and Pointlessness of war?
Our brains ache, in the merciless iced east winds that knive us…”
The metaphor “knive us” shows the wind as a weapon, more brutal than bullets.
Sibilance (“s” sounds) mimics the whistling wind, creating a chilling atmosphere.
The collective “our” reinforces shared suffering among soldiers.
Nature is personified as an enemy, setting the tone of isolation and pain.
“Sudden successive flights of bullets streak the silence.”
The alliteration of “s” sounds mimics the sudden gunfire breaking silence.
Juxtaposition of peace (“silence”) and violence (“bullets”) reflects the unpredictability of war.
The use of “flights” suggests movement, but also evokes birds or angels, hinting at death.
But nothing happens.”
A short, blunt sentence — repetition reinforces the monotony and futility of war.
The soldiers endure horror with no progress, no glory, no reward.
Creates a cyclical structure — the stanza returns to this line, mimicking the endless waiting.
Context?
Wilfred Owen fought in World War I and wrote from first-hand experience in the trenches.
He wanted to expose the truth of war — not heroism, but suffering and death.
Owen rejected patriotic propaganda and used his poetry to criticise those in power who glorified war.
The poem reflects the disillusionment of the “lost generation” — young men destroyed by war.
