This term paper is concerned with the thesis that Siegfried Sassoon's attitude towards war changed during the years of World War I. In the following the question on how this transformation affected his poetry will be examined.
Based on the analysis of the poems "Absolution", which Sassoon wrote before any front line experience, and "Survivors", written two years later, it is investigated how they differ in form, style and content.
The results are interpreted as evidence for a change from pro-war feelings to anti-war stances. It is furthermore suggested that Siegfried Sassoon's changing attitude towards war is an advantage for the reader in regard to his ability to get an idea how life-changing the experience of war is
Table of Contents
1 Poetry as Biography
2 Interpretation of Two of Sassoon's Poems
2.1 Analysis of "Absolution"
2.1.1 Form
2.1.2 Style
2.1.3 Summary
2.2 Analysis of "Survivors"
2.2.1 Form
2.2.2 Style
2.2.3 Summary
3 Development of Sassoon's Style
4 Sassoon's Transformation as a Possibility for a Change in the Reader's Attitude
Research Objectives and Themes
This paper examines how Siegfried Sassoon's direct experience of World War I transformed his poetic voice from pro-war idealism to an anti-war stance, thereby providing readers with a deeper insight into the psychological trauma of combat.
- Evolution of Sassoon's poetic style during World War I.
- Comparative analysis of the poems "Absolution" and "Survivors".
- Critique of government and press portrayals of the war.
- The psychological impact of combat as reflected in literature.
- Transformation of the reader's perception of war through Sassoon's work.
Excerpt from the Book
2.1.2 Style
The previous analysis has shown that cross rhymes are used to link every other line. But now it is the style that connects, with regards to content, what the rhyme scheme formally separates: the enjambments used throughout the poem interweave the different rhymes with each other. As a verse does not end with a sentence, and therefore no hard borders are created, the reading becomes more fluent, giving the poem a softer tone.
The breaks Sassoon indicates by semicolons in line three and six stand in contrast to that. In line three, the semicolon forces the reader to take a little break that separates the metaphor "War is our scourge" (A 3) from "yet war has made us wise" (A3). Between the metaphor that draws the picture of self-chosen suffering and the result of war is a visual boundary. This, on the one hand, has the effect that it seems as if the lyrical I has accepted the war as a terrible issue and simply deals with it, and on the other hand the negative image of war is immediately eliminated by the following advantage of war. Wisdom stands here above the pain the soldiers have to suffer. It therefore seems as if the lyrical I sees the torment of war as a bearable sacrifice. All the bodily and mentally damages a man has to face in a battle are worth to be paid in order to gain wisdom. In addition, this statement is especially emphasized by the change of the meter so that the stress falls on 'war' and 'scourge'.
Summary of Chapters
1 Poetry as Biography: Provides biographical context on Sassoon's life and his transition from an enlisted soldier to a vocal critic of the war.
2 Interpretation of Two of Sassoon's Poems: Offers a detailed formal, stylistic, and thematic analysis of "Absolution" and "Survivors" to contrast pro-war and anti-war perspectives.
3 Development of Sassoon's Style: Compares the stylistic evolution between the two analyzed poems, highlighting the shift toward open criticism and darker imagery.
4 Sassoon's Transformation as a Possibility for a Change in the Reader's Attitude: Discusses how Sassoon's shifting perspective allows readers to move from a detached, romanticized view of war to a more empathetic understanding of its traumatic reality.
Keywords
Siegfried Sassoon, World War I, Poetry, Absolution, Survivors, War Literature, Anti-War Stance, Psychological Trauma, Enjambment, Literary Analysis, Trench Warfare, Lyrical I, Heroism, War Criticism, Reality vs Idealism
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the primary focus of this academic paper?
The paper explores the transformation of Siegfried Sassoon's attitude towards World War I and investigates how this change is reflected in his poetry.
What are the central thematic fields?
The central themes include the shift from pro-war feelings to anti-war stances, the realistic depiction of trauma, and the criticism of official war narratives.
What is the primary research goal?
The goal is to determine how Sassoon's personal experience of the war influenced his style and how this evolution helps the reader grasp the life-changing nature of the conflict.
Which scientific methodology is utilized?
The author uses a comparative literary analysis, focusing on formal aspects, stylistic devices, and content analysis of two specific poems.
What topics are covered in the main section?
The main section covers the analysis of "Absolution" and "Survivors," detailing their form, style, and thematic content, followed by a discussion on Sassoon's stylistic development.
What are the most significant keywords?
Key terms include Siegfried Sassoon, anti-war stance, psychological trauma, war literature, and literary analysis.
How does Sassoon's use of the "lyrical I" change between his earlier and later poems?
The "lyrical I" is prominent in "Absolution," speaking for a group of soldiers, but it becomes much less explicit in "Survivors," where the focus shifts to the external reality of the war's consequences.
Why is "Survivors" classified as an anti-war poem?
It is classified as such because it uses negative imagery, stylistic irregularities, and ironic contrasts to highlight the mental devastation of soldiers, directly challenging the "glorious" narrative promoted by the government and press.
What role do non-combatants play in Sassoon's later poetry according to this paper?
Sassoon uses his later work to criticize non-combatants, including the government and the press, for their ignorance of the truth and their tendency to romanticize the brutality of war.
- Quote paper
- Bettina Breitenberger (Author), 2013, Sassoon's changing attitude towards war. From pro-war feelings to anti-war stances, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.hausarbeiten.de/document/283110
