World War 1 is among the worst events to occur in human history. It led to the senseless loss of millions of lives and the disruption of many families and unions. However, it also inspired great poetry. Poets, most of who were affected by the war became a voice that illuminated not only the devastating effects of the war but also the shattered hopes and disappointments that came with the war .In this essay, I will compare and contrast two poems about the experiences during this period; “To His Love” by Ivor Gurney and “Here Dead we lie” by A.E. Housman.
“ To His Love” by Ivor Gurney is a monologue by a soldier of the war to the significant other of a dead soldier; mourning the loss of a comrade and regretting not able to have his company again. “He’s gone and all plans are useless indeed” this is a bitter statement of significant loss. The war had destroyed all their future plans. “His body that…not as you knew it” (Gurney, 1917) implies that dead soldier had been badly injured. “Cover him over with violets of pride” suggests that the soldier’s death was noble. The tone of the poem is nostalgic. The author reminisces the days before the war and the horrors he has encountered because of it.
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“ Here dead we lie” by A.E Housman shows a different side of the war. “Here dead we lie…not choose to live and shame the land” portrays the war as patriotic, it glorifies the soldiers who participated in the war and makes their death seem heroic. “But the young men think it is and we are young” (Housman, 1914) implies that youth rationalizes loss of life in war but with age, they might come to change their mind and realize that war and its glory is useless. Both poems suggest that death from the war is a noble act. However, they also show opposite sides of the war; the glory of victory and heroism and the devastating loss of a comrade on the field.
References
Gurney, I. (1917). To His Love . Retrieved April 22, 2019, from www.poetrybyheart.org.uk/poems/to-his-love/
Housman, A. (1914). Here dead we lie . Retrieved April 22, 2019, from https://www.pitchero.com/clubs/finchley/news/here-dead-we-lie-by-a-e-hosman-1914-1266361.html
