Essay On Poetry: Compare And Contrast In A Short Essay
Essay On Poetrycompare And Contrast In A Short Essay With 1000 Wordsco
Compare and contrast in a short essay with 1000 words. Comment on how sound (meter, rhyme, etc.) affects tone and meaning of each poem. You are not required to do formal research for this paper. Follow correct MLA citations for the format of the paper and for any quotes/paraphrases of the poems.
Sample Paper For Above instruction
Poetry, as a form of literary expression, relies heavily on sound devices such as meter, rhyme, and rhythm to shape its tone and influence its meaning. The deliberate manipulation of these auditory elements creates emotional responses, emphasizes particular themes, and establishes the overall mood of a poem. Comparing and contrasting two poems—Jessie Pope's "The Call" and Wilfred Owen's "Dulce et Decorum Est"—provides a compelling illustration of how sound influences tone and purpose, especially within contrasting contexts of patriotic propaganda and the brutal reality of war.
Jessie Pope's "The Call" employs a rhythmic, sing-song quality rooted in its rhyme scheme and repetitive structure. The poem's jaunty meter, often in a consistent rhyme pattern, projects an upbeat, persuasive tone intended to rally young men to enlist in the military. Its lively diction and rhythmic cadence mimic a marching song or a rallying cry, which motivates the reader toward patriotic fervor. For instance, the repetitive interrogative "Who’s for...?" coupled with the rhyming "lad" and "glad" sound reinforces a sense of camaraderie and urgency (Pope, 1915). The cheerful, rhythmic pattern aims to evoke excitement and pride, masking the grim realities of war with its playful sound. This manipulation of sound devices aligns with the poem's purpose of promoting enlistment, emphasizing themes of honor and duty over the dangers and suffering involved.
In stark contrast, Wilfred Owen's "Dulce et Decorum Est" utilizes dissonant sounds, irregular meter, and stark imagery to create a tone of horror and disillusionment. Owen’s poem lacks consistent rhyme, and its irregular rhythmic pattern mirrors the chaos and unpredictability of war. The jarring, harsh consonant sounds—such as the "knock-kneed" and "blood-shod"—evoke discomfort and chaos, while the uneven line lengths enhance a sense of disorder and urgency. For example, the line "Bent double, like old beggars under sacks" employs alliteration and a slow, rhythmic cadence that gradually accelerates into the frenetic and terrifying gas attack scene (Owen, 1919). The irregularity and loud, discordant sounds of phrases like "GAS! GAS! Quick, boys!" shock the reader, emphasizing the brutality and chaos of the battlefield. Owen’s use of sound helps establish the poem’s tone of anger and disillusionment, contrasting sharply with Pope’s patriotic enthusiasm, and challenges the reader to reconsider the glorification of war.
The sound devices in both poems serve to reinforce their contrasting tones and themes. Pope’s cheerful rhythm and rhyme underscore her patriotic message, fostering a tone of inspiration and pride. Conversely, Owen’s dissonant sounds, irregular rhythm, and vivid imagery foster a tone of horror and critique. The manipulation of meter and rhyme in each poem illustrates how sound is a powerful tool in shaping emotional response and conveying particular messages. Pope’s poem, with its singsong and accessible regularity, promotes national pride and duty. In comparison, Owen’s chaotic, dissonant sounds evoke the chaos and suffering of war, inviting reflection on the true costs of conflict.
In conclusion, the contrasting use of sound devices in "The Call" and "Dulce et Decorum Est" exemplifies how meter, rhyme, and rhythm influence tone and meaning in poetry. Pope’s cheerful, rhythmic pattern aligns with patriotic propaganda, while Owen’s irregular, jarring sounds expose the brutal reality of war. These differences highlight the role of sound in shaping emotional and thematic significance, demonstrating poetry’s capacity to evoke diverse responses depending on its auditory construction.
References
- Owen, W. (1919). Dulce et Decorum Est. Retrieved from https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poems/46560/dulce-et-decorum-est
- Pope, J. (1915). The Call. In War Poems. Retrieved from https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poems/43166/the-call