Monday 29 January 2024

War Poetry

 





Greetings!! Everyone this blog is a part of thinking activity of War Poetry; given by Vaidehi Hariyani Ma'am.

> Here are some important points regarding the thinking task,...

1. Read the poems and the linked material
2. Note down the difference of all the War Poets.
3. Compare any two poems concerning the subject, style of writing, and patriotism.
4. Do you find any such regional poem/movies/web series/songs that can be compared to any one of the poems Also, give a proper explanation of the similarity.





# Compare any two poems with reference to the subject, style of writing and patriotism.



1. The Fear – Wilfrid Wilson Gibson:-





I do not fear to die

'Neath the open sky,

To meet death in the fight

Face to face, upright.

But when at last we creep

Into a hole to sleep,

I tremble, cold with dread,

Lest I wake up dead.



For Analysis of the poem CLICK HERE




2. The Hero - Siegfried Sassoon:-





"Jack fell as he'd have wished," the Mother said,

And folded up the letter that she'd read.

"The Colonel writes so nicely." Something broke

In the tired voice that quavered to a choke.

She half looked up. "We mothers are so proud

Of our dead soldiers." Then her face was bowed.


Quietly the Brother Officer went out.

He'd told the poor old dear some gallant lies

That she would nourish all her days, no doubt.

For while he coughed and mumbled, her weak eyes

Had shone with gentle triumph, brimmed with joy,

Because he'd been so brave, her glorious boy.


He thought how "Jack," cold-footed, useless swine,

Had panicked down the trench that night the mine

Went up at Wicked Corner; how he'd tried

To get sent home; and how, at last, he died,

Blown to small bits. And no one seemed to care

Except that lonely woman with white hair.



CLICK HERE FOR INTERESTING ARTICLE REGARDING THE POEM




# Now let's compare both the poems,...



Both poems were written during World War I and explore the harsh realities of warfare, contrasting with the romanticized notions of patriotism and heroism propagated at the time. However, their approaches and writing styles differ significantly. Wilfrid Wilson Gibson's "The Fear" is written in a straightforward, almost journalistic style, using simple language and vivid imagery to depict the experiences of a soldier on the battlefield. The poem's stark realism and lack of embellishment lend it a sense of authenticity and rawness. Gibson's writing style is direct and unadorned, allowing the horrific details of war to speak for themselves. The fear and vulnerability of the soldier are palpable, and the poem effectively deconstructs the notion of patriotic glory in warfare. In contrast, Siegfried Sassoon's "The Hero" employs a more sarcastic and biting tone, using irony and satire to critique the glorification of war and the concept of heroism. Sassoon's writing style is more poetic and lyrical, with a greater emphasis on figurative language and imagery. The poem's opening stanza, for instance, paints a vivid and grotesque picture of a soldier's mutilated body, juxtaposing it with the idea of heroic sacrifice. Both poems challenge the traditional notions of patriotism and heroism associated with war. In "The Fear," Gibson strips away the romanticized veneer, revealing the stark reality of a soldier's experience on the battlefield, where survival and fear are paramount, not glory or honor. The poem's depiction of the soldier's vulnerability and humanity undermines the idea of war as a noble endeavor. Sassoon's "The Hero," on the other hand, takes a more direct and scathing approach, using satire and irony to mock the glorification of war and the elevation of soldiers to the status of heroes. The poem exposes the disconnect between the reality of war and the propaganda that romanticizes it, highlighting the grotesque nature of the soldier's mutilation and the hypocrisy of celebrating such sacrifices as heroic. Both poets, through their distinct writing styles, challenge the notion of patriotism as a justification for the horrors of war. Gibson's straightforward realism and Sassoon's biting satire effectively deconstruct the romanticized ideals of heroism and glory, revealing the true human cost and suffering of warfare. In conclusion, while Wilfrid Wilson Gibson's "The Fear" and Siegfried Sassoon's "The Hero" differ in their writing styles – the former being more journalistic and raw, the latter more poetic and satirical – both poems share a common goal: to undermine the propagandistic portrayal of war as a noble and patriotic endeavor, instead exposing the harsh realities and human toll of combat.


# Do you find any such regional poem/movies/web series/songs that can be compared to any one of the poems Also, give a proper explanation of the similarity.


>> "Aye Mere Watan Ke logon"



ऐ मेरे वतन के लोगों
तुम ख़ूब लगा लो नारा
ये शुभ दिन है हम सब का
लहरा लो तिरंगा प्यारा
पर मत भूलो सीमा पर
वीरों ने है प्राण गंवाए
कुछ याद उन्हें भी कर लो 
जो लौट के घर न आये 

ऐ मेरे वतन के लोगों 
ज़रा आंख में भर लो पानी
जो शहीद हुए हैं उनकी
ज़रा याद करो क़ुर्बानी

जब घायल हुआ हिमालय
ख़तरे में पड़ी आज़ादी
जब तक थी सांस लड़े वो
फिर अपनी लाश बिछा दी
संगीन पे धर कर माथा 
सो गये अमर बलिदानी
जो शहीद हुए हैं उनकी
ज़रा याद करो क़ुर्बानी

जब देश में थी दीवाली
वो खेल रहे थे होली
जब हम बैठे थे घरों में
वो झेल रहे थे गोली
थे धन्य जवान वो आपने
थी धन्य वो उनकी जवानी
जो शहीद हुए हैं उनकी
ज़रा याद करो क़ुर्बानी

कोई सिख कोई जाट मराठा
कोई गुरखा कोई मदरासी
सरहद पर मरनेवाला 
हर वीर था भारतवासी
जो खून गिरा पवर्अत पर
वो खून था हिंदुस्तानी
जो शहीद हुए हैं उनकी
ज़रा याद करो क़ुर्बानी

थी खून से लथ पथ काया
फिर बंदूक उठाके
दस दस को एक ने मारा
फिर गिर गये होश गंवा के
जब अन्त -समय आया तो
कह गये के अब मरते हैं
खुश रहना देश के प्यारों
अब हम तो सफ़र करते हैं
क्या लोग थे वो दीवाने
क्या लोग थे वो अभिमानी
जो शहीद हुए हैं उनकी
ज़रा याद करो क़ुर्बानी

तुम भूल न जाओ उनको
इस लिये कही ये कहानी
जो शहीद हुए हैं उनकी
ज़रा याद करो क़ुर्बानी
जय हिंद...


A Hindi Bollywood song that shares a similar concept with Wilfred Owen's poem "Dulce et Decorum Est" is "Aye Mere Watan Ke Logon." This iconic song was sung by Lata Mangeshkar and written by Kavi Pradeep. 

The song was written as a tribute to the Indian soldiers who sacrificed their lives during the Indo-China war in 1962. It expresses the pain and anguish of the soldiers who fought bravely for their country and made the ultimate sacrifice. The lyrics depict the harsh realities of war and the emotional toll it takes on the soldiers and their families.

The similarity between "Aye Mere Watan Ke Logon" and "Dulce et Decorum Est" lies in their portrayal of the grim and brutal nature of war. Both works shed light on the suffering and horrors experienced by soldiers on the battlefield. They challenge the glorification of war and highlight the stark contrast between the romanticized notions of heroism and the harsh reality of warfare.

In "Dulce et Decorum Est," Wilfred Owen vividly describes the physical and psychological trauma endured by soldiers, while "Aye Mere Watan Ke Logon" captures the emotional turmoil and sacrifice of Indian soldiers fighting for their motherland. Both pieces serve as powerful reminders of the true cost of war and the importance of honoring those who have fallen in service to their country.


Thank you for reading...
Happy learning...Exploring...

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