'The Send-off' by Wilfred Owen


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Down the close, darkening lanes they sang their way
To the siding-shed,
And lined the train with faces grimly gay.

Their breasts were stuck all white with wreath and spray
As men's are, dead.

Dull porters watched them, and a casual tramp
Stood staring hard,
Sorry to miss them from the upland camp.
Then, unmoved, signals nodded, and a lamp
Winked to the guard.

So secretly, like wrongs hushed-up, they went.
They were not ours:
We never heard to which front these were sent.

Nor there if they yet mock what women meant
Who gave them flowers.

Shall they return to beatings of great bells
In wild trainloads?
A few, a few, too few for drums and yells,
May creep back, silent, to still village wells
Up half-known roads.

Editor 1 Interpretation

The Send-off by Wilfred Owen: A Masterpiece of War Poetry

The Send-off is a poem that chronicles the emotions of soldiers as they leave for war. It is a poignant and powerful piece that captures the sense of foreboding that accompanies such a departure. Written by Wilfred Owen, one of the most celebrated war poets of the 20th century, The Send-off is a masterpiece of poetry that explores the themes of war, loss, and despair with unmatched skill.

The Poem’s Structure

The Send-off is a sonnet, a poetic form that consists of fourteen lines. The poem is divided into two parts: an octave and a sestet. The octave consists of eight lines, and the sestet consists of six lines. The rhyme scheme of the poem is ABAB CDCD EFEF GG. Owen uses iambic pentameter throughout the poem, which gives it a rhythmic and musical quality.

The Poem’s Theme

The Send-off is primarily a poem about the emotions of soldiers as they depart for war. The poem captures the sense of impending doom that accompanies such a departure. Owen uses a variety of literary devices to convey this theme, including imagery, metaphor, and personification.

The Poem’s Literary Devices

The Send-off is a masterclass in the use of literary devices. Owen uses a variety of techniques to convey his message, including imagery, metaphor, and personification.

Imagery

One of the most powerful aspects of The Send-off is its use of imagery. Owen employs vivid and evocative imagery to create a sense of foreboding and despair. For example, the soldiers are described as being “lined the train with faces grimly gay.” This imagery captures the sense of reluctance and apprehension that accompanies such a departure. The use of the adjective “grimly” conveys the sense that the soldiers are not happy about what they are about to do.

Metaphor

Owen also uses metaphor to great effect in The Send-off. For example, he describes the soldiers as being “like boys weeping.” This metaphor highlights the fact that many of these soldiers were young and inexperienced. They were not prepared for the horrors of war that awaited them.

Personification

Finally, Owen uses personification to create a sense of unease in the poem. He describes the sound of the soldiers’ footsteps as being “like a leaving train.” This personification not only creates a sense of unease but also suggests that the soldiers are being led to their doom.

The Poem’s Impact on the Reader

The Send-off is a poem that evokes a strong emotional response from the reader. It is a powerful and moving piece that captures the sense of loss and despair that accompanies war. The poem is particularly effective at conveying the sense of hopelessness that many soldiers must have felt as they left for war. Owen’s use of imagery, metaphor, and personification all contribute to the emotional impact of the poem.

Conclusion

In conclusion, The Send-off is a masterpiece of war poetry. It is a powerful and moving piece that captures the emotions of soldiers as they depart for war. Owen’s use of literary devices is masterful, and he creates a sense of foreboding and despair that is unmatched in its power. The poem’s impact on the reader is profound, and it serves as a powerful reminder of the horrors of war.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

The Send-off: A Masterpiece of War Poetry

Wilfred Owen, one of the most celebrated poets of the First World War, wrote The Send-off in 1918. The poem is a poignant reflection on the fate of soldiers who were sent off to war, never to return. The Send-off is a masterpiece of war poetry that captures the horror and tragedy of war, and the sense of loss and despair that it brings.

The poem begins with a description of the soldiers leaving for war. They are being sent off in the early morning, and the atmosphere is somber and quiet. The soldiers are leaving in silence, and there is no one to bid them farewell. The first stanza sets the tone for the rest of the poem, and it is clear that the soldiers are going to face a terrible fate.

The second stanza describes the soldiers' journey to the front. They are being transported in a train, and the journey is long and arduous. The soldiers are packed into the train like cattle, and they are not allowed to leave their seats. The journey is so long that the soldiers fall asleep, and they wake up to find that they have arrived at their destination. The soldiers are disoriented and confused, and they do not know what to expect.

The third stanza describes the soldiers' arrival at the front. They are greeted by a group of women who are there to give them flowers. The soldiers are surprised by the women's kindness, and they are touched by their gesture. However, the soldiers soon realize that the women are not there to bid them farewell, but to send them off to their deaths. The soldiers are horrified by this realization, and they feel betrayed by the women's deception.

The fourth stanza describes the soldiers' departure from the front. They are being sent off in the same way that they arrived, in silence and without fanfare. The soldiers are being sent off to their deaths, and there is no one to bid them farewell. The soldiers are resigned to their fate, and they accept their destiny with a sense of resignation.

The final stanza of the poem is a reflection on the soldiers' fate. The soldiers are being sent off to war, and they are not expected to return. The poem ends with a sense of loss and despair, and it is clear that the soldiers' fate is a tragic one.

The Send-off is a powerful poem that captures the horror and tragedy of war. The poem is a reflection on the fate of soldiers who were sent off to war, never to return. The poem is a masterpiece of war poetry that captures the sense of loss and despair that war brings. The poem is a reminder of the sacrifices that soldiers make, and the terrible price that they pay for their service.

The poem is also a commentary on the nature of war. The soldiers are being sent off to war without any fanfare or celebration. They are being sent off in silence, and there is no one to bid them farewell. The soldiers are being treated like cattle, and they are not given any respect or dignity. The poem is a commentary on the dehumanizing nature of war, and the way that soldiers are treated as expendable resources.

The poem is also a commentary on the role of women in war. The women in the poem are there to give the soldiers flowers, but they are not there to bid them farewell. The women are deceiving the soldiers, and they are sending them off to their deaths. The poem is a commentary on the way that women are used as tools of war, and the way that they are forced to participate in the violence and destruction of war.

In conclusion, The Send-off is a masterpiece of war poetry that captures the horror and tragedy of war. The poem is a reflection on the fate of soldiers who were sent off to war, never to return. The poem is a reminder of the sacrifices that soldiers make, and the terrible price that they pay for their service. The poem is also a commentary on the dehumanizing nature of war, and the way that soldiers are treated as expendable resources. The poem is a powerful reminder of the need to end war, and to find peaceful solutions to our conflicts.

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