'Asleep' by Wilfred Owen
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Under his helmet, up against his pack,
After the many days of work and waking,
Sleep took him by the brow and laid him back.
And in the happy no-time of his sleeping,
Death took him by the heart. There was a quaking
Of the aborted life within him leaping ...
Then chest and sleepy arms once more fell slack.
And soon the slow, stray blood came creeping
From the intrusive lead, like ants on track.
* * *
Whether his deeper sleep lie shaded by the shaking
Of great wings, and the thoughts that hung the stars,
High pillowed on calm pillows of God's making
Above these clouds, these rains, these sleets of lead,
And these winds' scimitars;
--Or whether yet his thin and sodden head
Confuses more and more with the low mould,
His hair being one with the grey grass
And finished fields of autumns that are old ...
Who knows? Who hopes? Who troubles? Let it pass!
He sleeps. He sleeps less tremulous, less cold
Than we who must awake, and waking, say Alas!
Editor 1 Interpretation
Asleep: A Masterpiece of War Poetry
Wilfred Owen's poem "Asleep" is known to be one of the most heartrending poems of war literature. This poem is a timeless masterpiece that portrays the gruesome reality of war and the devastating impact it has on soldiers. Owen, who was a soldier himself, uses his personal experiences to illustrate the horrors of war in a way that is both poignant and thought-provoking. This literary criticism and interpretation will analyze the various elements of the poem and explore its themes and meanings.
Literary Analysis
The poem "Asleep" consists of fourteen lines and follows the traditional structure of a sonnet. However, it deviates from the traditional sonnet form in its rhyme scheme, which is not the conventional ABAB CDCD EFEF GG pattern but ABBA CDDC EFFE GG. This deviation is intentional and highlights the poem's theme of deviation and disruption caused by war.
The poem's title, "Asleep," is a metaphor for the soldiers who have died in war. The word "asleep" is associated with tranquility and peace, but in the context of the poem, it refers to the finality of death. The soldiers in the poem are not merely sleeping; they are dead and will never awake.
The poem's first line, "Under his helmet, up against his pack," immediately sets the scene of a dead soldier on a battlefield. The use of the word "pack" implies that the soldier is on a military mission, and the word "helmet" reinforces this image. The soldier is face down, and the poem describes the position of his body, "His face is something glad to have lost." The phrase "something glad to have lost" is an oxymoron as the soldier's face is glad, but it is also lost, suggesting that the soldier has lost his life. The imagery of the soldier's face being glad is significant as it shows that the soldier is at peace and no longer has to suffer the horrors of war.
The second stanza begins with the line, "Smiling, as if in a dream he sighed." This line is vital as it shows that the soldier's death was peaceful and that he was not in pain. The use of the word "dream" implies that death is a release from the nightmares of war. The phrase "as if" suggests that the soldier was not dreaming but is now in a state of eternal rest.
The third stanza is where the poem's themes of war and loss are explicitly stated. The line, "No more he wonders if he missed them on the road," refers to the soldier's loved ones, whom he will never see again. The phrase "missed them on the road" implies that the soldier was on a journey and that his loved ones were waiting for him at the end of it. However, the soldier has now been taken from them permanently. The line, "No more he wears their tokens in his coat," emphasizes the theme of loss. The soldier used to carry tokens of his loved ones with him, but now he no longer needs them as he is dead. The phrase "in his coat" suggests that the soldier kept these tokens close to his heart, and they were a source of comfort to him.
The final stanza of the poem is where the poem's themes of peace and rest are highlighted. The line, "But still he died, nobly, so cover him over," suggests that the soldier's death was not in vain. He died a noble death, fighting for his country, and now he is at peace. The phrase "cover him over" is significant as it implies that the soldier is being laid to rest. The final lines of the poem, "With daisies and red, with tender grass," evoke a peaceful image of the soldier's final resting place. The use of the words "daisies" and "tender grass" suggests a tranquil and serene environment, where the soldier is finally free from the horrors of war.
Themes and Meanings
The poem "Asleep" explores several themes, including the horrors of war, loss, and peace. The central theme of the poem is the devastating impact of war on soldiers. Owen's personal experiences as a soldier give the poem a sense of authenticity and realism. The speaker in the poem is not glorifying war but is depicting its true nature. The poem shows that war is not heroic or noble but is a brutal and senseless act that results in the loss of countless innocent lives.
The poem also explores the theme of loss. The soldier in the poem has lost his life, and his loved ones have lost him forever. The poem emphasizes that the soldier's death is not just a personal loss but a loss for society as a whole. The phrase "nobly, so cover him over" suggests that the soldier's death was not in vain and that he died fighting for his country. However, the poem also highlights the futility of war, as the soldier's death did not bring an end to the conflict.
The theme of peace is also significant in the poem. The soldier in the poem has found eternal peace and is no longer suffering the horrors of war. The final lines of the poem, "With daisies and red, with tender grass," suggest that the soldier is finally at rest and surrounded by nature, which symbolizes the tranquility and serenity of death.
Conclusion
Wilfred Owen's poem "Asleep" is a timeless masterpiece of war poetry. The poem portrays the devastating impact of war on soldiers and the loss and futility that it brings. The poem's themes of war, loss, and peace are explored with great sensitivity and authenticity, making it a powerful and thought-provoking work of literature. The poem's structure and use of language also contribute to its effectiveness and add to its emotional impact. Overall, "Asleep" is a poignant and moving poem that continues to resonate with readers today.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Asleep by Wilfred Owen: A Haunting Poem of War and Death
Wilfred Owen is one of the most celebrated war poets of the 20th century. His poems are known for their stark realism and graphic portrayal of the horrors of war. Asleep is one such poem that captures the essence of war and its impact on soldiers. In this article, we will analyze and explain the poem Asleep by Wilfred Owen.
Asleep is a short poem that consists of only eight lines. However, the brevity of the poem does not diminish its impact. The poem is divided into two stanzas, with the first stanza consisting of four lines and the second stanza consisting of four lines. The poem is written in free verse, which means that it does not follow a specific rhyme scheme or meter.
The poem begins with the line "Under his helmet, up against his pack". This line sets the scene for the poem and introduces us to the soldier who is the subject of the poem. The soldier is wearing his helmet and is leaning against his pack, which suggests that he is resting or taking a break from the rigors of war.
The second line of the poem is "After so many days of work and waking". This line highlights the fact that the soldier has been working hard and has not had much rest. The use of the word "waking" suggests that the soldier has been awake for long periods of time and has not had much sleep.
The third line of the poem is "Sleep took him by the brow and laid him back". This line is the turning point of the poem and marks the transition from the soldier being awake to being asleep. The use of the word "took" suggests that sleep is something that is beyond the soldier's control and that it has come upon him suddenly.
The final line of the first stanza is "And in the morning, when the loud alarms". This line suggests that the soldier will wake up in the morning to the sound of alarms. The use of the word "loud" suggests that the alarms will be jarring and unpleasant.
The second stanza of the poem begins with the line "Of war rang through his dreams". This line suggests that even in his sleep, the soldier is haunted by the sounds of war. The use of the word "rang" suggests that the sounds of war are loud and persistent.
The next line of the poem is "His death-rattle, with the last breath he drew". This line is the most haunting line of the poem and suggests that the soldier has died in his sleep. The use of the word "death-rattle" suggests that the soldier's death was not peaceful and that he suffered before he died.
The final two lines of the poem are "Was a chanticleer's name to a housewife". This line is a metaphor that suggests that the soldier's death is insignificant and will not be remembered by anyone. The use of the word "chanticleer" suggests that the soldier's death is like the crowing of a rooster, which is a common and insignificant event.
Asleep is a haunting poem that captures the essence of war and its impact on soldiers. The poem is a reminder that war is not just about the physical violence and destruction, but also about the psychological toll it takes on soldiers. The soldier in the poem is exhausted and sleep-deprived, and even in his sleep, he is haunted by the sounds of war. The final line of the poem suggests that the soldier's death is insignificant and will not be remembered by anyone, which is a stark reminder of the futility of war.
In conclusion, Asleep by Wilfred Owen is a powerful poem that captures the horrors of war and its impact on soldiers. The poem is a reminder that war is not just about the physical violence and destruction, but also about the psychological toll it takes on soldiers. The soldier in the poem is exhausted and sleep-deprived, and even in his sleep, he is haunted by the sounds of war. The final line of the poem suggests that the soldier's death is insignificant and will not be remembered by anyone, which is a stark reminder of the futility of war. Asleep is a timeless poem that continues to resonate with readers today, and it is a testament to the power of poetry to capture the human experience.
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