Explore the theme of war in these three post 1914 poems

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Explore the theme of war

in these three post 1914 poems

They were all portraying what life was like for those fighting in the 1st world war. War was not fought in the same way after 1914, weapons such as poisonous gas were used for the 1st time and the soldiers were not ready for it. Many soldiers became 'shell shocked' which meant they were over exposed to the noise of the explosions in the trenches and often became hysteric as a result of their condition. Each of he poets are men who actually fought in the war so they all share their own perspective on the situation. The poems will also deal with the issue of heroism something which was installed before the soldiers entered battle. If you died a coward it was very disrespectful. Pride was everything to good soldier or so army publicity said. As in the English army poster of a giant ape towering over London holding a women.

The Hero is a contradictory title for the 1st poem as it is about a coward. This character shamed his nation but when the officer was sent to report the death to his mother he tells a little white lie. He conceals the truth by telling some 'gallant lies' to ease her pain a little. The poets perspective is one of disgust he calls Jack 'Cold footed' To speak of someone like that when they have just been killed is very disrespectful. For he must have been terrified of what was about to happen. The way he is described as an animal is not much better either. It isn't fair to say these things about someone that died while serving their country.
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The mother at home waiting for new of her son is quite saddening but I don't think she would feel any different about her son if she knew he died a coward, he is still her son. The quote 'We mothers are so proud of our dead solders' kind of shows that she has now got something to brag about but would she still be as proud if she knew the way he died.

This poem has a structure of six lines in each stanza and uses rhyming couplets all the way through. This keeps a steady ...

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