Exposure by Wilfred Owen - Lecture Notes

Introduction

• Exposure: A poem by Wilfred Owen about World War One experience, specifically trench warfare.
• The poem explores the harsh conditions and psychological effects on soldiers.

Opening Stanza

• Soldiers' Brains Aching: Due to the freezing cold wind, soldiers are exhausted but must remain vigilant.
• Confused Memories: Flare lights disrupt soldiers' sense of location.
• Fear and Anxiety: The silence is worrying, creating a whispering, scared atmosphere.
• Repetitive Format: Much of the poem follows a pattern of building tension followed by an anti-climax.

Theme and Purpose

• Futility of War: Owen questions the purpose of war.
• Belief in War's Necessity: Soldiers believe war ensures a safe, domestic future for their families.

Wilfred Owen's Background

• Born in 1893, joined the British Army in 1915.
• Died in 1918 during the war.
• Originally pursued a church career but left due to its failure to help locals.
• Poetry often highlights war's futility.

Poetic Structure

• Intensity of Waiting: Owen portrays the soldiers' prolonged anticipation and stress.
• Stanza Structure:
  • Begins with a strong sentence (e.g., "Our brains ache in the merciless iced east winds that knife us").
  • Emotive vocabulary heightens tension: "wearied," "drooping," "confused," "nervous."
  • Ends with an anti-climax: "But nothing happens."
• Rhyme Scheme: a b b a c, with pararhyme creating an imperfect, on-edge sensation.

Literary Techniques

• Pararhyme: Same consonant sounds with different vowels (e.g., "knive us" and "nervous").
• Personification: Weather as a deadly force, more dangerous than bullets.
  • Examples: "winds that knife," "mad gusts," "dawn massing," "air that shudders."

Conclusion

• Poem's Ending: Cyclical structure with repeated phrase "But nothing happens," reinforcing war's futility.
• Contrasting Themes: Soldiers as necessary sacrifices versus futile waiting.

Comparative Works

• Futility of War: Similar themes in "Bayonet Charge," "The Charge of the Light Brigade."
• Reality of War: "Remains," "War Photographer."

Additional Resources

• Further Analysis: Full analysis video linked in the presentation.
• Study Guide: Available from Mr. Bruff's guide to power on conflict poetry.

Reminder

• This video is a quick recap for revision. For in-depth learning, refer to the full lesson available in linked resources.