5H Literature - War Poetry & Modernism

• Engels
• Middelbare school
• havo
• Leerjaar 5

English Literature

WAR POETRY

This lesson

Introduction to the War Period & War Poets

“Futility” by Wilfred Owen

poetry has been used to express emotions, trauma, and thoughts on conflict and harmony throughout different time periods.

What are the main themes
of War Poetry?

Read “Gauze” by Emily Berry

o How are the two poems similar?

o How are they different in their portrayal of war and its aftermath?

o Do you think poetry is a powerful way to express the emotions tied to war? Why or why not?

Historical context - 1

The First World War  aka The Great War (1914-1918)

• Trenches
  
• Large-scale slaughter in Flanders and Northern France
  
• Entire generation of young men wiped out
  
• Britain lost place as one of dominant political + economic powers in the world
  
• Great Depression (1930s)

The War Poets - 1

The horrors of modern warfare

An attempt to find words for their emotion

"Trench Poets"

The War Poets - 2

Siegfried Sassoon (1886-1967)

Established poet at beginning of war

Joined army in August 1914

Wounded twice

Published many poems on war experiences and feelings

The War Poets - 2

Wilfred Owen (1893-1918)

• Most talented of "Trench Poets"
  
• Wounded in 1917; wrote most of his poems back in England
  
• Went back to France in 1918; killed November 4
  
• Poems published in 1920 - edited by Siegfried Sassoon
  
• Created tragic vison of world at war, dominated by pain and suffering
  

The War Poets - 3

Characterized by harsh realism; biting sarcasm

Main themes:  

• incompetence of officers
  
• ignorance of people
  
• false picture of war
  
• frustrations of soldiers
  

Anthem for 

Doomed Youth

Open the document in Peppels

Historical context - 2

The Second World War (1939-1945)

• Winston Churchill
  
• The Battle of Britain
  
• End of once mighty British Empire
  
• Britain only played secondary role in Cold War, as ally of USA
  

Which year marked the end of the once mighty British Empire?

1. 1914
2. 1918
3. 1939
4. 1945

What is another name for the famous War Poets?

1. Trench Poets
2. French Poets
3. Trash Poets
4. Horror Poets

What are the main themes
of War Poetry?

End of lesson

This was the last introduction to literature!

Short story Lamb to the Slaughter