In the poem ‘Dulce Et Decorum Est’ by Wilfred Owen, an important theme that caught my attention was the notion of a lie. The lie being that it is glorious and honorable to die for one’s country. Owen skillfully employs vivid figurative language and effective poetic techniques like rhyme, rhythm, and alliteration to convey a lasting impression of a horrific experience, thus enhancing his anti-war message.
Using personal pronouns, Owen expresses his own encounter, providing intricate details about how the soldiers were deceived into believing that fighting for their country was a rewarding endeavor. This aspect is crucial as Owen forcefully conveys an opposing view.
The first line portrays soldiers as bent and doubled like old beggars under sacks, conveying their undesired and uncomfortable conditions. Additionally, Owen describes the flares as haunting to the soldiers, indicating their disdain for war and constant reminders of it. The rhyme scheme of AB, AB, CD, CD mirrors the soldiers’ organization and vigorous marching. However, this image is contradicted by the alliteration of the deep ‘M’ sound in the phrase “Men marched asleep.”
The lack of rhythm contradicts the message of strength, reflecting confusion and tiredness among the soldiers. The absence of rhythm also suggests their defeat. Flashbacks remind them of the horrifying and repulsive tasks they were forced to endure, along with an overwhelming desire to escape. Phrases like drowning, guttering, and choking depict the ongoing trauma that the soldiers endured and the loss of human life, all serving to reinforce a false narrative. In the poem “The Dam” by Patric Dickinson, the opening line includes the pronoun “our,” indicating that like in “Dulce Et Decorum Est,” the poem is written from a personal standpoint. This adds to the intrigue of his idea as it is evident that he has firsthand experience.
The main concept regarding a falsehood is exemplified by how the villagers were deceived into believing that a dam constructed in their village would be advantageous for them. Sarcastically, they are informed that they are fortunate, notwithstanding the fact that they have actually suffered more losses than gains. The possessive pronoun “Our” highlights the loss of ownership through simple language. All the villagers joined forces: “Everyone worked on it.” This endeavor became a source of income: “Good jobs; they were too well paid.” However, the true cost of this prosperity was the destruction of their homes. The prevalent theme of falsehood in both poems caught my attention as it is clearly displayed.
The soldiers in Dulce Et Decorum Est hold the belief that fighting for their country is a noble act. However, Owen exposes the horrific reality of war, contradicting the false perception they had been led to believe. Similarly, The Dam conveys the notion of deception, as the villagers were misled into thinking that a dam would bring them financial benefits, when in fact it was a falsehood.
