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Both Wilfred Owen and Philip Larkin delve into the atrocities of war in their poems "Anthem For Doomed Youth" and "MCMXIV," utilizing different language, tone, and poetic structure.
Anthem For Doomed Youth, a sonnet about the First World War, differs from MCMXIV by Philip Larkin, which narrates a tale in four stanzas. The distinct styles of the poems generate irony and amplify their powerful and enduring characteristics.
Although both poems focus on the First World War, they differ in their choice of language and tone.
While one poem conveys feelings of disgust, revulsion, and injustice, the other portrays a sense of melancholy, emptiness, and sorrow. It is fascinating to observe how two poems addressing the same topic can elicit such contrasting emotions.
The sonnet is divided into two parts, each starting with a question: "What passing-bells for these who die as cattle?" and "What candles may be held to speed them all?" Following lines offer solutions to these questions, creating a speech-like format with rhetorical questions where the poet predicts the answers and refutes them by consistently beginning each line with 'no', 'nor', or 'not'.
Anthem For Doomed Youth is a concise and powerful poem, carefully selecting each word for maximum impact.
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The use of language like "monstrous anger" and "who die as cattle" is sharp and brutal, creating a jolting effect. Wilfred Owen plunges the reader into the horrors of war, vividly depicting scenes with phrases such as "stuttering rifles" and "the holy glimmers of goodbyes". His disdain for war is evident, emphasizing the harsh truth of conflict.
These young men are not gloriously sacrificing themselves for their country; instead, they are trapped in an endless brutal struggle.
Owen and Larkin present contrasting approaches to the theme of war. While Owen instills fear and incomprehension with his vivid descriptions of destruction in "Anthem For Doomed Youth", Larkin takes a smoother approach in "MCMXIV" by using a melancholic vocabulary to evoke emotions of confinement and isolation. Both poets explore the impact of war, with Owen focusing on the sounds of battle and Larkin depicting a silent tribute to fallen soldiers who fought without full knowledge of their cause.
Both Wilfred Owen and Philip Larkin delve into the harsh outcomes of war. Owen depicts the brutal truths of trench warfare, while Larkin delves into the societal repercussions of conflict. The enduring destruction caused by war permanently changes lives, affecting soldiers and civilians alike. Even individuals not directly engaged in combat, such as women and children, experienced the ramifications of war close to home.
Owen utilizes repetitions to stress certain phrases in his poetry. The repeated use of the word 'only' at the beginning of the second and third lines, followed by personifications of weapons such as 'the monstrous anger of the guns' and 'stuttering riffles' rapid rattle', blurs the line between humans and machines. The men are no longer the ones killing each other; it's the machines doing the killing now. The recurring use of 'no', 'nor', and 'not' signals a lack of hope and positivity. The soldiers' eyes are filled with constant anxiety. While the word 'choirs' typically has a positive connotation in music, in this context it is not so.
Music symbolizes the inevitability of death, likened to the heartbeat of soldiers - a worrisome rhythm that could cease at any moment. The repetition of "never" in MCMXIV's final stanza highlights the absence of innocence post-War. Larkin resigns to the past, acknowledging the irreversible loss of lives, urging remembrance. In contrast, Owen adamantly denounces the horrors of war to prevent future atrocities, unable to bear the human toll both physically and mentally.
In conclusion, the poet's selection of title is worth discussing. An anthem typically features a religious or moralizing text, making it fitting for a poem honoring fallen heroes. However, the use of 'doomed' alongside 'anthem' creates a conflicting tone. 'Doomed' implies an unavoidable fate, such as death. While death cannot be avoided, the mention of 'youth' adds a tragic element as young individuals should not be faced with such loss. The title 'MCMXIV' references the year 1914 in Roman numerals, suggesting a link to the past. Just as Roman numerals have endured over time, perhaps Larkin wishes for his poem to be similarly remembered.
In summary, despite Wilfred Owen and Philip Larkin utilizing different methods to discuss war, both evoked powerful emotions. While one wielded a forceful and spontaneous writing style, the other inspired feelings of melancholy and admiration for the soldiers who perished. Ultimately, they both share the sentiment that the First World War was a catastrophic event that should never be overlooked.
Contrasting Approaches to War in Poetry. (2016, Dec 07). Retrieved from https://studymoose.com/comparaison-between-mcmxiv-and-anthem-for-doomed-youth-essay
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