How does the tone of the poem change between stanzas 1 and 2, and what does that represent?
Bent double, like old beggars under sacks,
Knock-kneed, coughing like hags, we cursed through
sludge,
Till on the haunting flares we turned our backs
And towards our distant rest began to trudge.
Men marched asleep. Many had lost their boots
But limped on, blood-shod. All went lame; all blind;
Drunk with fatigue; deaf even to the hoots
Of disappointed shells that dropped behind.
GAS! Gas! Quick boys! – An ecstasy of fumbling,
Fitting the clumsy helmets just in time;
But someone still was yelling out and stumbling
And floundering like a man in fire or lime. –
Dim, through the misty panes and thick green light
As under a green sea, I saw him drowning.
What is the first line of stanza 2?
Gas Gas quick boys
What difference do you see between the two stanzas?
the first stanza is more calm it just introduces us basically while stanza two is more hyper emotional, "GAS!GAS!.. WHICH COULD relate on how they were suffering form gas attacks especially "I see him drowning"
I agree. :-)
can you check stanza 4?
To analyze the change in tone between stanzas 1 and 2 of the poem, one must first examine the language and imagery used in each stanza. In the first stanza, the tone is descriptive and grim. The speaker describes the weary and sorry state of the soldiers, conveying a sense of physical and mental exhaustion. The imagery of old beggars, coughing hags, and soldiers marching while asleep depicts a dehumanizing and desperate atmosphere. The tone in this stanza is dark and somber, emphasizing the harsh realities of war.
In the second stanza, the tone shifts to a more urgent and intense one. The exclamation "GAS! Gas!" signals a sudden and imminent danger, creating a sense of panic. The language used, such as "ecstasy of fumbling" and "yelling out and stumbling," conveys a chaotic and frantic atmosphere. The image of someone drowning as seen through misty panes and thick green light suggests a horrifying and suffocating experience.
The change in tone between these stanzas represents the transition from the weariness and despair of the soldiers in the first stanza to the sudden terror and urgency caused by a gas attack in the second stanza. The shift in tone reflects the abrupt disruption and heightened danger that the soldiers face, highlighting the unpredictable and life-threatening nature of war.