Vergissmeinicht Flashcards
(21 cards)
What does the simile ‘like a cave’ emphasize?
It emphasizes the brutality and horrors of the injuries that soldiers endure.
Contrasts with the idea of a crutch being the worst that could happen in war.
What does the metaphor ‘nightmare ground’ describe?
It describes the battlefield as a nightmare, showing how surreal and terrifying war is and how it haunts people.
Contrasts with the childish, idealistic view from ‘who’s for the game’.
What does the symbolism of ‘vergissmeinnicht’ represent?
It symbolizes loss, memory, and love in the poem.
This contrasts with the serious tone of the poem compared to the childish nature of ‘who’s for the game’.
What does the personification of the dead soldier’s gun indicate?
It shows that you aren’t honored when you die and are mocked and haunted by war.
This contrasts with the fun, calm, and joyful nature of the other poem.
What does the metaphor ‘paper eye’ illustrate?
It illustrates the lifeless look in the eyes of the dead soldier.
This contrasts with the lively, fun, and light-hearted nature of ‘who’s for the game’.
What does ‘rotting in the sun’ convey?
It shows the brutal reality of war, being stomach-churning and sickening.
What does ‘overshadowing’ signify?
It signifies the continuous haunting impact of war, even after death.
What is enjambement in poetry?
It is when lines in the poem run over into the next line, Captures the relentless nature of war, the war is not stopping . The lines are running on and the words and the war and the suffering is running on.
Example: ‘the frowning barrel of bus gun’.
What is the contrast in the phrase ‘lover and killer’?
It contrasts the duality of a soldier being both a lover and a killer, highlighting the loss experienced by both.
What does the term ‘sprawling’ indicate?
It shows a lack of care and discusses the horrific treatment of bodies that should be treated with dignity.
What does the adjective ‘burst’ describe?
It describes the horrible and disgusting nature of injuries, contrasting with the idea of crutches being the worst that can happen.
What does the verb ‘decayed’ imply?
It captures the harshness and inhumanity of war, contrasting the decay of a person with the hardness of equipment.
What does ‘swart flies move’ suggest?
It suggests the gruesome image of flies eating flesh, representing darkness and negativity.
‘Swart’ is an old word for dark.
The structure
he structure of the poem vergissmeinnicht makes the reader feel uneasy and unsure of what is to happen next, this is shown when throughout the poem there is an unusual Rhyme scheme
this helps annotate the idea that in war you never know what is around the corner or what is to happen next. This can impact the reader making them feel uneasy and unsure.
Another way the structure can impact the reader is the enjambment in
How do the two poets present contrasting views of war?
Pope presents war as exciting and heroic, using persuasive techniques to recruit men. Douglas shows war as traumatic and brutal, using graphic imagery and irony. The contrast shows how war propaganda differs from real experience.
Who were the intended audiences of each poem and why does that matter?
Pope wrote for young men and their families, encouraging enlistment. Her poem is motivational and patriotic. Douglas wrote for a post-war audience, reflecting on the trauma and futility of war. The different audiences shape their tone and message.
What emotions do the poets aim to evoke in the reader?
Pope tries to stir pride and courage, making war seem like a duty and adventure. Douglas aims to shock and sadden the reader, showing the harsh emotional toll and loss of identity war causes.
What does the title “Vergissmeinnicht” suggest about the poem and its message about war?
The title is German for “Forget me not,” which creates a sense of personal loss and emotional depth. It humanises the enemy and highlights the tragedy of war, showing how love and violence can collide in wartime.
How does the title “Who’s for the Game?” affect the reader and reflect views on war
The title uses a rhetorical question and metaphor, comparing war to a game. This trivialises the seriousness of war, making it sound exciting and fun. It reflects the propaganda tone of WWI, encouraging young men to enlist.
How does the structure of each poem reflect its message about war?
Vergissmeinnicht has irregular stanza lengths and no rhyme scheme, reflecting the emotional and physical chaos of war. Who’s for the Game? has a regular rhythm and rhyme, making it sound persuasive and upbeat, like a recruitment speech.
Which poem do you prefer and why? What do both poems reveal about society’s view on war?
I prefer Vergissmeinnicht because it gives a realistic, emotional view of war’s horrors. It humanises soldiers on both sides. Both poems show different attitudes: Pope glorifies war to recruit men, while Douglas exposes its brutal truth. Today, society tends to agree more with Douglas’s honest portrayal.
