Dulce et Decorum Est Essays -- Comparative, Owen, Cummings

Wilfred Owens Dulce et Decorum Est and E. E Cummings, next to of level god the States i be poesys that critique patriotic propaganda. Both poems use linguistic process and images to effectively depict the influence that patriotic propaganda has on war. Dulce et Decorum Est uses descriptive words to create realistic images of the horrors s matureiers are faced with during combat, whereas next to of course god america i uses sarcasm to inform readers that the abuse of propaganda shadower be used to publicipulate others. The attitudes they convey are quite akin(predicate) both suggest that propaganda is a lie it is not sweet and able to die for ones country. It is ingrained in soldiers minds that to die for ones country is a great and honourable sacrifice. However, in the poem Dulce et Decorum Est the speaker uses powerful words and images to portray that patriotic propaganda is an old lie (Owen 27). In the first stanza, the speaker explains the effects that war has on young so ldiers Bent double, the likes of old beggars under sacks/ Knock- Kneed, coughing like hags, we cursed through sludge (Owen 1-2). Propaganda portrays soldiers as being young heroes, those who are strong, healthy and vigorous. However, based on the evidence expressed in the preceding quotation soldiers are not all what propaganda portrays them to be. The speaker chooses words much(prenominal) as bent double, like old baggers and knock-kneed (Owens 1-2) to expose the soreness and effects that war has on young soldiers. The soldiers are discreetly compared to gimpy old men which emphasizes just how badly war has affected their bodies, baring them of their health, making them weak and helpless like old beggars (Owen 1). Furthermore, the speaker expresses his bed as a sold... ...upport of patriotic propaganda. The speaker may be apprehensive because of the fear of what he is saying will cause him to being label as unpatriotic. Cumming could have incorporated this line into the poe m to enforce person-to-person beliefs and protect national pride. Both poems would agree that patriotic propaganda is a mode used to alter nations values and ideas. Although both poems resist in the portrayal of the patriotic message they both criticize the affects of propaganda. For those who accept that it is sweet and fitting to die for ones country, any man who has experienced war first hand would admit that patriotic propaganda is a lie. It would be interesting to further analyze the poems and consider how historical fashion of propaganda and modern media by politicians compare, as well as to analyse if propaganda straightaway is still using and abusing patriotism.