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Essay / Dulce Et Decorum Est and Anthem for Doomed Youth: Youth and War
Wilfred Owen incorporates many techniques into his poems to present his didactic views to the reader. In this case, Owen attempts to teach the reader about the struggles of the youth affected by the First World War, thereby jointly developing their interest in the youth. Through the manipulation of linguistic techniques in 'Dulce et Decorum Est' and 'Anthem For Doomed Youth', Owen allows his concern for youth to be developed. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on “Why Violent Video Games Should Not Be Banned”? Get an original essay In “Dulce et Decorum Est,” Owen shows the social impact of the World War on young men. Owen establishes this idea by describing the “innocent tongues” of war. By introducing this idea, an atmosphere of global inclusion is created. This is achieved through the use of the plural noun "languages" which, as a play on words, establishes the linguistic variety of the war and refers to the way in which the war has a global impact, affecting many nations. This is essential because it represents the position of young people. Also, youth is portrayed as "innocent", creating an idea of purity, linked to the idea that these young men have never experienced war and its consequences. Using this language describing the inclusion and innocence of men, we can establish Owen's concern for all young people serving in the First World War. Additionally, in “Anthem For Doomed Youth,” Owen mentions the shape of social expectations and the effects of propaganda on the society of his time. Owen achieves this by incorporating the idea that young people are born to die. This idea of being born to die is supported by the statement that "men die like cattle." Through the use of the adverb "like" in the simile, the young men are modified as being endowed with the status of animals, illustrating a feeling of youthful submission due to social pressures and expectations. This is further supported by the symbolic use of the noun "cattle", which, with extra-poetic knowledge, is known to have connotations of death since cattle are slaughtered for their meat. By using both the ideas of social pressures and birth to die, an atmosphere of manipulation is created. This atmosphere of manipulation is essential because it subtly represents the propaganda which is a form of media that Owen constantly strives to condemn through his poems. In developing the idea of social expectation and its impacts, Owen again highlights his concern for “condemned youth.” Owen also demonstrates his concern for young people by speaking about their naive nature in "Dulce et Decorum Est". Owen makes this opinion clear by stating that the boys are "longing for desperate glory." By using the term “ardent” as a modifier, we develop in young people a great eagerness to enter into conflict. This excerpt is an adjunct to Owen's worry because it quietly foreshadows the pain the boys will endure. This foreshadowing of pain, which most likely refers to the burn of gas attacks used as a weapon, is achieved by the word "ardent", derived from the Latin word "ardere" which means "to burn". This idea of burning is affective in that it contrasts with the character of the youth which is modified as being “desperate”. By this qualifier “desperate”, we can conclude that young people were poorly informed about their future by participating in the war efforts. Through this idea of information, Owen presents to the reader his justification for his concern for young people. Furthermore, Owen presents his concern for young people by illustrating the absence of a great.')'.