World War I Poets
World War I Poets. “The War to End All Wars”. World War I in Britain. 1914-1918 Over 850,000 young men died Approximately 292,000 civilians died Hundreds of young men were left with serious physical and psychological damage Massive social change came after the war.
World War I Poets
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World War I Poets “The War to End All Wars”
World War I in Britain • 1914-1918 • Over 850,000 young men died • Approximately 292,000 civilians died • Hundreds of young men were left with serious physical and psychological damage • Massive social change came after the war
Siegfried “Mad Jack” Sassoon • September 8, 1886-September 1, 1967 • Fought in World War I • First with Sussex Yeomanry • Later fought with Royal Welsh Fusiliers • Very brave military actions • Described by friends as “almost suicidal” • Awarded the Military Cross for bravery
Sassoon’s Poetry • Influenced by the war • Influenced by his psychological instability • Began writing in earnest while in treatment for shell-shock • Express anger, frustration with the government and the war
Wilfred Owen • November 18, 1893-November 4, 1918 • Killed in France fighting in the war • Friends with Sassoon • “My subject is War, and the pity of War. The Poetry is in the pity.”
Poetry • Used in therapy to help him cope with his experiences • Bitterness, frustration with the war • “Dulce et decorum est” • “Anthem for a Doomed Youth”
