The second poem I will write about is ‘the conscript’ it was written by Wilfred Gibson in 1917. a law was passed to force men to join up between the ages of 18-41 unless they were ill this poems says what you’re really going to expect from the war if you join up you’re going to die for your country.
At the start of the poem he uses the words ‘indifferent and flippant’ indifferent meaning you have no interest in it (poor quality) flippant meaning a look of seriousness a flippant attitude to money. He says that ‘the doctors sit in the glare of an electric light watching the endless stream of naked white bodies’ this shows the doctors have got used to see the naked white bodies and the use of the words ‘white bodies’ suggests death. These soldiers are going to their deaths.
Gibson writes about a ‘living death’ and ‘darkened brain’. Living death is the meaning for they are so badly injured they might as well be dead and darkened brain is that they are mentally and physically affected and that their dreams are dark meaning that they are nightmares. He uses the word hasty this is the meaning for happening suddenly and quickly often without enough care or thought so the soldiers will quickly go into the war zone and die and not think about if they will survive or not.
The narrator shudders at the sight of one young man and he ends with a description of Christ on the cross. Gibson is suggesting that this soldier is a sacrifice just like the image of Christ on the cross Jesus was sacrificed. This is a very powerful phrase because he is suggesting that these men are not really fit for war but because so many have lost their lives the country needs more men whether they are fit or not to protect their country .
Is this a continuation of a longer essay you're working on? The first paragraph doesn't read like an intro to an independent essay.
Also get rid of all "I" and "you" (and all their forms) instances in this paper. Then try again.
The second poem, "The Conscript", Wilfred Gibson, 1917; Was written in response to a law (Where?, Why? during what conflict?) which conscripted all men between eighteen and forty-one years of age, unless they were too ill to serve. The poem lays out the grim realities of war.
My first throw edit. Please notice the differences in length and punctuation. :)
i think that this poem is a very good one as i have never read it before. this poem is very good because there is a very knowledgeable amount of BANTER!!!
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This essay is see is a section of a whole essay. i see that you have used some quotes and lots of analysis which was very good. I too believe that christ on the cross was very significant in showing the reader the true insides of war. #THUGLIFE4EVER,#SWAGLIFE AND #I'M_LONELY
The poem "The Conscript" by Wilfred Gibson, written in 1917, explores the themes of indifference, sacrifice, and the grim reality of war. In order to understand the meaning of the poem and its imagery, let's break it down further.
The poem begins by highlighting the general attitude towards the war, using the words "indifferent and flippant." "Indifferent" suggests a lack of interest or concern, implying that people were not fully aware of the horrors of war or were dismissive of its consequences. Similarly, "flippant" refers to an attitude of superficial seriousness, indicating that people may not have been fully engaged with the seriousness of the situation, much like a flippant attitude towards money.
The line "the doctors sit in the glare of an electric light watching the endless stream of naked white bodies" introduces a haunting image. The repetition of the word "white bodies" suggests death, symbolizing the soldiers who are going to their demise on the battlefield. This indicates that joining the war effort could lead to one's own death for the sake of their country.
The poem further delves into the consequences of war, describing it as a "living death" and referring to a "darkened brain." This suggests that soldiers who survive are left physically and mentally scarred, almost as if they are already dead. The mention of "darkened brain" implies the soldiers are psychologically affected, experiencing nightmares and distress. The word "hasty" is used to describe the soldiers' journey into the war zone, indicating that they are sent quickly and without enough care or thought, ultimately leading to their untimely deaths.
Towards the end of the poem, the narrator expresses a moment of horror, shuddering at the sight of one young man. This emphasizes the personal impact that seeing the effects of war can have on an individual. Additionally, the poem concludes by referencing Christ on the cross. This image suggests that the soldier is being sacrificed, just as Jesus was, to protect their country. The use of this symbolic comparison highlights the sense of duty and sacrifice expected from these conscripts, despite their potential lack of preparedness or fitness for war.
Overall, "The Conscript" is a powerful poem that sheds light on the indifferent and flippant attitude towards war, the grim consequences it brings, and the sacrifices demanded from individuals. The use of vivid imagery and symbolic elements helps convey the poet's message effectively.