I will be comparing the two poems; futility and Mametz wood from 'conflict' in regards to the theme of death. The poems futility and Mametz wood both deal with the grim subject of death on the battlefield, and how those who fell to this fate were often left where they fell. Neither of the two poems deals directly with the moment of death, but rather reflects on the loss of young lives. As death in battle is usually seen as a rather honourable fate, the language is respectful towards the soldiers and concentrates on the great sacrifice made by the soldiers, rather than the details of the battle itself. A deceased soldier is moved out into the sun in a desperate vain hope that the warmth of the sun will revive him.
2008 AP LIT FREE RESPONSE: Section II, Question One In both poems “When I Have Fears” by John Keats, and “Mezzo Cammin” by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, both narrators expose their unfulfilled aspirations with the underlying fear that death will soon approach. Keats explains how his career as a famous, credited author has not yet been fulfilled, and fears that he will not live long enough to do so. Conversely, Longfellow looks back on his past slightly disappointed, but assured that he has the latter half of his life to accomplish his objectives and goals. Longfellow is dismal and terrified of death, while Keats comes to realize that his dreams are infinitesimal in the grand scheme of things, and any life lived is a gift that will eventually succumb to death. Keats’ poem is one extensive run-on sentence that truly “runs” across the page.
The over all feel throughout the poem is a wonderful contrast to other of Robert Frost’s poems, which is another thing I particularly enjoyed. The theme through the poem is the realization that death is so quick and so sudden, and another is that people treat human life like it is worthless. This statement is attributed to the end when the doctors know they cannot save his life, then just shrug it off like nothing happened and continue on their day. The poem is mostly of the snarling buzz saw and the boys basically acceptance that he is going to die. He doesn’t want to go to the doctors because he wants to maintain dignity through his dead body by being buried with both hands.
Perhaps both Keats and Longfellow didn’t have enough faith in what they were trying to do before they died. They sure were sad and sorrowful middle-aged poets. Keats and Longfellow are fearful of death. In Longfellow’s poem, he is
Donne’s attitude in ‘Death be no proud’ is aggressive whereas Auden’s is sad and distraught. Evidence of this is that ‘Death be not proud’ presents death as proud and arrogant. Donne portrays this by stating rhetorical questions such as ‘Why swell’st thou then?’ which summarised means why are you so proud of yourself? By addressing death in an aggressive tone, this shows Donne is irritated and outraged by deaths ‘behaviour’. Auden’s poem ‘Funeral Blues’ however, doesn’t talk about death directly and only talks about his sad feelings towards death.
An Explication of Howard Nemerov’s “The Vacuum” “The Vacuum” is about an old man grieving his deceased wife and what his life has become, messy and incomplete, as hinted by the poem’s title “The Vacuum”. The poet used many figurative speeches such as personification and alliteration in the poem. These speeches help readers relate to the old man’s feeling more easily. The title “The Vacuum”, makes readers think of the appliance, however, it has more than one meaning. It is a pun created by the poet.
She continues to express how the soldiers have lost themselves in the final stanza writing about how they are so near in “body” but in “soul as far”. Dobell could be creating the idea that as they sleep they leave their bodies. It’s the only time that they can escape from the horrors, an un-conscious state is almost preferable. In contrast to Night Duty, the poem Since They Have Died by May Wedderburn Cannan presents an alternative and slightly naïve view on soldiers at war. Whereas Night Duty reveals the bleak reality of war and the impact that it had on the lives of soldiers Since They Have Died expresses a more optimistic and patriotic attitude to the subject.
The use of language in Mametz wood such as “wasted young” and “nesting machine guns” portrays the poet’s sincere yet sorrowful feelings of death in war. Sheers believes the “young” have “wasted” their lives fighting in the war, when they could have attained much safer jobs, where the risk of death would have been minimal. Sheers use of “young” leads the reader to become aware of the issue of the majority of soldiers being youthful, whose lives have just started and they have yet not developed fully in understanding. In contrast, Owen does not use specific words to display his emotions towards these superfluous wars. Instead, Owens utilises rhetorical questions such as “O what made fatuous sunbeams toil…” Owen is becoming
I saw the moonlit road where my father's brother died. And it brought something else back to me, and carried me past it, I saw my little girl again and felt Isabel's tears again, and I felt my own tears begin to rise… Then it was over” (532). The Narrator cannot help but radiates expel acceptance as he watches, listens and observes his brother find happiness through music. He no longer repress inner the depressions of his past and in turn he lets go of his deep rooted routed negative feelings. The Narrator cleanses his mind and chooses to accept the peace now.
Throughout the poem metaphors are also present, he frequently compares sleep to death, “From rest and sleep, which but thy pictures be, / Much pleasure, then from thee much more must flow” (lines 5-6). The metaphor suggests that since we derive pleasure from sleep, death should be more pleasurable. Also by referring to the “pictures” (line 5) of death, it is implied that sleep is just a short resemblance of death, making death seem effortless and comprehensible, removing the fear of the unknown. Throughout the poem, Donne portrays reasons why death should not be proud, and why we should not fear death. The beginning of the poem addresses inadequacy, by attacking death’s pride, “Mighty and dreadful, for thou art not so; / For those, whom thou think’st