War - soldier vs dulce

Question 1

Overview

Answer 1

Both poems place a focus on war. On one hand, Rupert Brooke uses his poem to glorify war, Owen draws upon his own personal suffering in WW1 to condemn the futility of war and the senseless of squandering young men.

Question 2

QUOTE 1 COMAPRISON

Answer 2

‘If i should die, think this of me’ - conditional model verb introduces death as calm and reflective, avoids any mention of pain. Imperative adds nobility and inevitability
‘Bent double like beggars under sacks’ - simile highlighting degrading physical toll of war, contrasting Brooke’s noble portrayal. ‘Sacks’ adds to the burden

Question 3

QUOTE 2 COMPARISON

Answer 3

‘there is some corner of a foreign field that is forever england’ - metaphor to suggest that the land is symbolically claimed by england, framing soldier’s death as an imperial legacy, erasing it of all indivuality and elevates to smth sacred
‘Knock-kneed coughing like hags’ - gendered simile, grotesque, challenges heroic masculine archetype of a soldier, harsh consonance adds an ugly soundscape further reinforcing soldier’s suffering

Question 4

quote 3 - comparison

Answer 4

‘A body of England’s, breathing English air’ - patriotic repetition, personifies the land as alive and maternal, makes death seem less frightening but more familiar and pure.
‘He plunges at me, guttering, choking, drowning’ - much more graphic, the rule of three thrusts the reader into the immediacy and panic of the gas attack, rapid succession of verbs mimics the soldier’s panic and suffering.

Question 5

quote 4

Answer 5

‘Washed by the rivers, blest by the suns of home’ - pastoral imagery makes death by war seem cleansing and of divine favour, death is spiritually redemptive
‘In all my dreams before my helpless sights’ - ‘all’ encompasses his life, war has scarred him.