In this lesson, you have studied three authors (Owen, Brooke, and Sassoon) who wrote about their experiences with war.
Choose ONE of the poets (Owen, Brooke, or Sasson), and describe what was going on at the time they wrote the poem. Then, using evidence from the poem, discuss TWO ways how their writing was an escape from / coping mechanism from dealing with war.
Scoring:
/1 Choosing a poet – 1 point
/4 Describing the poet’s perspective and connecting to the events of the time – 4 points
/4 Giving two pieces of evidence from the text and discussing two ways their writing was an escape from or a coping mechanism from dealing with the war – 4 points (2 points for textual evidence, two points for explanation of how the poet dealt with their experiences)
I will choose Wilfred Owen as the poet to discuss. During the time Owen wrote his poems, he was living through World War I. Owen's experiences as a soldier in the war deeply influenced his poetry, as he witnessed the horrors of the battlefield firsthand. The war had a significant impact on Owen's mental health, leading him to use writing as a way to cope with his experiences.
One way Owen's writing served as an escape from dealing with war was through its ability to transport him to a different reality. In his poem "Dulce et Decorum Est," Owen vividly describes a gas attack and the suffering of soldiers on the front lines. This poem allows Owen to express the brutality of war while also allowing him to distance himself from the actual experience. By channeling his emotions and memories into his poetry, Owen was able to create a sense of detachment from the traumatic events he witnessed.
Another way Owen used writing as a coping mechanism was through the cathartic process of self-expression. In "Anthem for Doomed Youth," Owen reflects on the futility of war and mourns the loss of young lives on the battlefield. Through his poetry, Owen is able to confront his feelings of anger, grief, and despair in a constructive way. By putting his thoughts and emotions into words, Owen was able to process his trauma and find some sense of healing and closure.
In conclusion, Wilfred Owen used his poetry as both an escape from and a coping mechanism for dealing with the realities of war. Through his vivid descriptions and emotional reflections, Owen was able to confront the horrors of battle while also finding a way to express and navigate his own internal struggles. His poems continue to serve as a powerful reminder of the human cost of war and the importance of seeking ways to cope with its impact.