Exposure Historical Context Flashcards
(22 cards)
What time period does World War I encompass?
1914–1918
What type of warfare characterized World War I?
Trench warfare
What were some extreme weather conditions faced by soldiers during WWI?
Freezing cold winters
What are common themes reflected in Owen’s poem Exposure?
Stagnation and hardship
Describe the conditions of trenches during WWI.
Narrow, muddy ditches with constant cold, wet, mud, disease, and shelling
What psychological impact did trench conditions have on soldiers?
Physical and psychological torment
What personal experience did Wilfred Owen have during WWI?
Served on the Western Front and experienced freezing conditions
Who influenced Wilfred Owen while he was in the hospital?
Siegfried Sassoon
What was the purpose of Owen’s poetry in relation to war propaganda?
To counteract glorification of war and show grim reality
What was the result of the harsh winter of 1916–17 for soldiers?
Many died from exposure, frostbite, and hypothermia
What term is used to describe the generation affected by WWI?
The Lost Generation
What does the tone of Exposure reflect about post-war sentiment?
Hopelessness and disillusionment
What psychological condition was commonly known as ‘shell shock’?
PTSD
What symptoms were associated with shell shock?
Anxiety, nightmares, emotional numbness
How does Exposure reflect the psychological trauma of soldiers?
Through its bleak, repetitive structure and numb tone
What role did poetry play during WWI?
A way for soldiers to express their experiences
Which other poets are mentioned alongside Wilfred Owen?
Siegfried Sassoon and Rupert Brooke
What was the impact of new weapons during WWI?
Caused massive casualties and slow progress in warfare
What refrain in Exposure critiques the pointlessness of warfare?
‘But nothing happens’
What significant social changes occurred due to WWI?
Shifting social roles and questioning of traditional authority
What was the legacy of Wilfred Owen after his death?
His poems gained recognition for their raw honesty and anti-war message
When did Wilfred Owen die?
November 1918
