1914+IV.+The+Dead

What is the poem about? Life before war and when life ends, separated by the sentence “All this is ended.” · Contrast between warmth and emptiness. · The serene world created to manifest and alter ones views on war Significant words: “The years had given them kindness.” - “Unbroken glory, a gathered radiance.” - “Seen, heard, loved, touched.” - What types of emotions are used or played upon? · Empathic · Calm · Reflective · Sense of Longing? What is the tone/mood of the poem? · Soothing · Contrasting world to that of the war à calmness · Serene o Euphonic sounds : “w” sounds – woven, washed, wandering, waves What is the significance in the choice of sonnet form? · Sonnets usually romantic, emphasizing beauty. Used here to describe death optimistically using beautiful imagery to recreate horrific scenes. (that he did not see, but imagined to be) · Rhythm of sonnet creates smooth flow and highlights serene mood. · Musical rhyme further contributes to peaceful and beautiful context of poem · Octave and sestet structure poem in two parts Purpose of poem: To beautify death, and contributes to the ultimate idea that to die is to be in a state of peace. To have death seem better than it really is.