Anthem of the Doomed Youth by Wilfred Owen uses strong poetic devises and imagery to create a negative impression of war. This negative impression poem highlights death and destruction of soldiers during war, how the use of alliteration like ‘rifles rapid rattle’ signifies this devastation. The death of the soldiers is described in the poem by the simile “Those who die as cattle” this creates images of soldiers being slaughter in large numbers, similar to an abattoir. The parody exists between the horrid battlefield deaths of these soldiers and the lack of Christian ceremonies for their death. The soldiers who die do not get a proper funeral or ceremony in their home towns or country, but instead lay in the battlefields with the war continuing around them, with the service of ‘the stuttering rifles’ and ‘choirs of wailing shells’. Their family and friends experience this loss and grief forever ‘but in their eyes shall shine the holy glimmers of good-byes’.
Gilgandra to the sea by Benjamin B Howe uses strong poetic devises and language to create the thoughts, feelings, beliefs and attitude of the soldiers in the coo ee march as they journey from country N.S.W to coastal ports. This positive impression of the war tells the reader of the solders intentions during war and how they thought that they would easily ‘go marching on to victory’. The uses of symbolism and onomatopoeia helps enforce the thoughts of the soldiers and also creates images to make readers feel like they are a participant in the marching to the sea and on to victory. We feel the gathering strength of the soldiers; in numbers, physically and emotionally and their efforts to win the war, defeat the enemy and return home are celebrated ‘Hurrah! Hurrah!’. The poem uses parody to mock the enemy ‘Turks’ by relating their countries name to an animal “It was turkey here and turkey there”, this helps enforce their confidence and promotes the positive meaning of the poem.
Gilgandra to the Sea and Anthem of the Doomed Youth convey different ideas and themes; these are convoyed brilliantly by the use of poetic techniques and language like symbolism, rhetorical question, simile and personification. Both poems create imagery for the reader, which helps them understand and be involved with the poem / song. It is impossible to pick which poem/song conveys it message more effectively as they are completely different, one being pro war and one against. I agree with Wilfred Owens poem and its message that war is ruthless and loss of life and destruction is unavoidable. History has enforced these characteristics of war, and that the loss of life during war will be remembered forever. I like Gilgandra to the sea due to the uplifting spirit that the song gives the reader and makes them feel like they can achieve anything. The song conveys a true Australia spirit of mate-ship, courage and determination, which is identifiable to the culture known as being a “digger”.