Dulce Et Decorum Est Theme: Owen’s Stark Reality of WWI

From Valiant to Vanquished: Owen’s Vivid Depiction of War-Torn Soldiers

Wilfred Owen, a leading poet during World War One, expresses a tragic event that happened to British soldiers near Flanders in his famous poem, ‘Dulce et Decorum Est.’ Which translated means ‘It is sweet and noble for one to die for his country.’ A statement in which Owen feels in opposition, and he shares his gruesome experience during World War One, and his poem demonstrates the horrific reality of wartime.

Owen draws a contrast between the appeals of nationalism and patriotism that began the war. Owen connects a vivid image of death to an individual who has drowned from German gas to patriotism, which he uses to change society’s views on war. Owen emphasizes three different devices that he brilliantly uses to depict war as un-heroic and tragic.

Owen first describes a scene of a group of British soldiers who are marching through thick mud near the front line where bombs and lethal gas are attacking them. The troops were walking through Flanders, the northwestern part of Belgium, where the British fought in the war. Owen states, ‘Bent double like old beggars under sacks’ (Line 1). The soldiers were exhausted and sick. They walked with their heads to the ground, bent over and weak. The shock of the war gave the illusion that the troops were old and distorted their reality into a surreal event. Their uniforms were torn and ragged from the extreme fighting. Owen states, ‘Many had lost their boots, but limped on, blood-shod’ (Line 5,6). The soldiers have been fighting in a drastic war that has led some to lose their shoes and walk on their bloody feet. Owen uses this description to describe a clear image of how tired the troops were from fighting. The soldiers do not feel heroic or patriotic in the event of fighting for their country. They have been transformed from once healthy, confident soldiers to sorrowful, weak troops with nothing left to offer.

Dulce et Decorum Est Literary Devices: Unmasking the Horrors of War and Society’s Misconceptions

Secondly, Owen depicts a horrific scene of a mustard gas attack that the Germans used on their enemies. Owen writes, ‘An ecstasy of fumbling, fitting the clumsy helmets just in time’ (Line 9,10). The soldiers were rapidly attempting to put on their gas masks. However, a soldier did not get his mask on in time and writhed in pain. He is drowning in the gas and struggling to breathe. ‘Someone still was yelling out and stumbling, and floundering like a man in the fire’ (Line 11,12). Owen expresses the dreadful situation as a mental-twisted dream-like disaster. The man screaming and drowning in torture has transformed into a figure of horror from hell. The mustard gas is a blistering and burning agent on the lungs and will cause temporary blindness or even result in brutal death. The soldiers are exhausted from the trauma and gas intoxication. Owen uses this description to capture a mental image of the brutal effects of mustard gas on the British soldiers.

Finally, Owen shares his beliefs that the societal view of war is a lie. The people have a mixed perception of war because they have not seen the immense pain of the soldier’s experience. He makes his point on war very clear and direct. Owen states, ‘My friend, you would not tell with such high zest to children ardent for some desperate glory, the old Lie; Dulce et Decorum est Pro Patria Mori (Line 25-27). He is implying that the war would not be praised if only the people could experience such an event. If society had witnessed such great distress, they would be lying to themselves and generations to come, that war and death is a sweet victory. Owen compares his tragic personal experience to nationalism. He distinguishes two types of war; a war of honor and patriotism viewed by society and the individuals who brought the soldiers to fight and another that destroys men and brings them into a surreal realm of unspeakable illusions.

Dulce et Decorum Est: Owen’s Resounding Conclusion on the True Face of War

In conclusion, Owen paints such vivid images of World War One to leave a shocking stain on the minds of his readers. He is not depicting a glorious death scenario by any means. Owen wants his wartime experience to leave no individual any doubts about his beliefs. He uses profound techniques to express a powerful message to society. Owen’s descriptions of the mental, physical, and emotional effects of World War One provide a realistic picture of war to those who encourage young boys to fight in such matters. He successfully emphasized the misery that innocent men must face when sacrificing themselves for their country. Owen’s poem is deeply moving and still has left an impact on the terrifying nightmares of war.

Reference

1. Owen, Wilfred. “WILFRED OWEN – DULCE ET DECORUM EST, Text of Poem and Notes.” Poems of Vietnam War by Pilot, Curt Bennett, David Roberts, 18 July 2018, www.warpoetry.co.uk/owen1.html.

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