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  1. The sharp contrast between romanticized ideas of war and the terrible reality faced by soldiers on the front lines is the main theme of "Dulce et Decorum Est." Wilfred Owen challenges the social norms and propaganda that exalt sacrifice and patriotism while exposing the horrors, anguish, and disilluRead more

    The sharp contrast between romanticized ideas of war and the terrible reality faced by soldiers on the front lines is the main theme of “Dulce et Decorum Est.” Wilfred Owen challenges the social norms and propaganda that exalt sacrifice and patriotism while exposing the horrors, anguish, and disillusionment of war.

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  1. Although there are some changes in the last lines of each stanza, the poem mostly follows an ABAB structure. Dulce et Decorum Est Summary

    Although there are some changes in the last lines of each stanza, the poem mostly follows an ABAB structure.

    Dulce et Decorum Est Summary

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  1. In his poem, Owen addresses the horrific and dehumanizing consequences of war, illustrating the soldiers' physical and mental agony. He examines the loss of innocence felt by troops exposed to the horrors of war and takes on false ideologies and propaganda that support the notion that war is just anRead more

    In his poem, Owen addresses the horrific and dehumanizing consequences of war, illustrating the soldiers’ physical and mental agony. He examines the loss of innocence felt by troops exposed to the horrors of war and takes on false ideologies and propaganda that support the notion that war is just and noble. By highlighting the tremendous alteration and disillusionment that occur when faced with the brutalities of battle, Owen emphasizes the psychological and emotional consequences.

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  1. Simile: Owen uses similes to vividly describe the soldiers and their condition. For example, he compares the soldiers' tiredness to "old beggars" and their march to a "drunkard." These similes create vivid and relatable images in the reader's mind. Metaphor: The poem includes metaphors that emphasizRead more

    1. Simile: Owen uses similes to vividly describe the soldiers and their condition. For example, he compares the soldiers’ tiredness to “old beggars” and their march to a “drunkard.” These similes create vivid and relatable images in the reader’s mind.
    2. Metaphor: The poem includes metaphors that emphasize the physical and emotional toll of war. For instance, the soldiers are compared to “cursed” and “haunting” ghosts, highlighting their traumatized state. The metaphorical description of the gas attack as a “devil’s sick of sin” further intensifies the horror of the scene.
    3. Imagery: Owen’s use of vivid imagery throughout the poem immerses the reader in the battlefield and the soldiers’ experiences. He describes the soldiers as “bent double, like old beggars” and paints a vivid picture of the gas attack with phrases like “guttering, choking, drowning.”
    4. Alliteration: Owen employs alliteration, the repetition of consonant sounds, to create a musical and rhythmic effect. For instance, in the line “Knock-kneed, coughing like hags,” the repetition of the “k” and “h” sounds adds to the harsh and unsettling tone of the poem.
    5. Assonance: Assonance, the repetition of vowel sounds, is used to create internal rhymes and emphasize certain words or phrases. In the line “And watch the white eyes writhing in his face,” the repetition of the long “i” sound in “white eyes” and “writhing” creates a haunting effect.
    6. Enjambment: Owen utilizes enjambment, the continuation of a sentence or thought without a pause at the end of a line, to create a sense of urgency and flow. It adds to the poem’s rhythm and momentum, propelling the reader forward.
    7. Repetition: The poem includes repeated phrases such as “Gas! Gas! Quick, boys!” and “Dulce et decorum est,” which serve to emphasize key moments, emotions, and the central message of the poem.
    8. Irony: Throughout the poem, Owen employs irony to challenge the traditional glorification of war. The Latin phrase “Dulce et decorum est” (It is sweet and honorable) is repeated, but in a sarcastic and ironic tone, contrasting with the horrors described in the poem.

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