Introduction: the Phenomenon of war Poetry
It may seem that there are no concepts lying further apart from each other than war and poetry. While the latter is traditionally associated with emotions and passion, the former is often a product of cold peculations. While the very idea of war is shot through with cheap propaganda, poetry is supposed to be sincere and packed with emotions. Nevertheless, the phenomenon of war poetry exists and evolves.
Thesis statement. Though the concept of war poetry might seem an attempt to marry two entirely alien ideas, war poetry performs very important social, political and aesthetic functions, thus, inspiring people for struggling against the enemy and, therefore, predetermining a victory.
A Strong and Emotional Lead
Perhaps, one of the features of poetry that speaks in favored using it as a means to boost people’s desire to fight the enemy in the presence of the leading character. Though this character may be concealed, i.e., represented as the narrator, a reader can always relate to the person behind the poem, thus, believing that the ideas conveyed in the latter could also align with their ones. The authors of war poems often tell their story from the first-person perspective, therefore, creating an illusion of reality: “Here still I see your khaki figure pass” (Allen para. 2)
A Helping Hand in the Time of Need
In addition, it is crucial to bear in mind that war is devastating to people; it drains them physically and emotionally, deprives them of their home, their friends and their relatives, and forces them to fight even if they lack aggression. Consequently, war leaves people emotionally devastated and spiritually empty. Poetry, in its turn, provides people with the spiritual and emotional food for thoughts that they need so much; it comforts people, at the same time giving them hope. Moreover, war poetry may have an upbeat tempo, which charges people with energy and the desire to struggle for their freedom and rights.
When Emotions Are Running High
Finally, it should be mentioned that poetry can be used to appeal to people’s emotions very successfully. Because of the specifics of the genre, especially, its conciseness, poetry allows for packing a relatively short line with a number of messages and hidden innuendoes. As a result, a poetic call for fighting the enemy in order to protect the state and its residents is likely to sound much more convincing and relatable for most people than a note written in prose and containing the same message. Traditionally, the author uses “the most obvious technique of establishing an antagonistic mode” (Lamberti and Fortunati 42), therefore, making the message as clear as possible.
The Ugly Face of War
In addition, the very concept of war poetry does not presuppose that war should be glorified; quite on the contrary, in such poems, war is often represented as an ugly and disgusting phenomenon, the nightmare that somehow came to life and gloats at people suffering and agonizing. It is quite remarkable that war is often humanized in poetry and represented in the most repulsive way possible.
Conclusion: Taking the Pain away
Though the effects of war poetry on the outcomes of armed conflict are far from being direct, poetry still is a very powerful tool, which encourages people to strive towards victory. War poetry can be used as very efficient propaganda due to the specifics of the genre, and at the same time, it can stifle people’s agony and pain, bringing them relief, even though it does only for a few seconds before the oncoming battle.
Works Cited
Allen, Marian. The Wind on the Downs. n. d. Web.
Lanberti, Elena and Vita Fortunati. Memories and Representations of War: The Case of World War I and World War II. New York, NY: Rodopi. 2009. Print.