Exposure by Wilfred Owen Possible interpretations of Exposure

Exposure by Wilfred Owen

Possible interpretations of ‘Exposure’ 1. Exposure describes the extreme weather conditions which men were subjected to in the trenches and what they also died of. A different type of suffering. 2. Exposing the actuality of war in the Trenches. 3. Perhaps Owen ‘exposes’ himself to public criticism?

Harsh monosyllabic words – emphasise the harsh Personification of wind – harsh, Assonance – sharp conditions cruel ‘A’ sound to indicate the physical pain Our brains ache, in the merciless iced east winds that knife us. . . Ellipses, wants us to ponder on the idea, cruel winter Wearied we keep awake because the night is silent. . . Low drooping flares confuse our memory of the salient. . . Worried by silence, sentries whisper, curious, nervous, But nothing happens. Assonance – O – slows pace – like time dragging on? Assonance – Reference to elongated ‘e’ sound Keats’ Ode to a to emphasise their Unnatural silence – Nightingale fatigue makes soldiers nervous Sibilance of the repeated ‘s’ sound creates the effect of whispering, an attempt to not draw the attention of the enemy, who are futilely using flares to see what is going on.

Distant sounds of war Watching, we hear the mad gusts tugging on the wire. Like twitching agonies of men among its brambles. Northward incessantly, the flickering gunnery rumbles, Far off, like a dull rumour of some other war. What are we doing here? Real war seems distant, while they nervously wait Weather brings back memories of watching fellow solders die on the barbed wire Rhetorical question – is there presence pointless? How? Why?

Even dawn brings no comfort Military language to describe the daily assault of the weather Use of ellipsis – time dragging on? Make the reader reflect on soldiers’ misery? The poignant misery of dawn begins to grow. . . We only know war lasts, rain soaks, and clouds sag stormy. Dawn massing in the east her melancholy army Attacks once more in ranks on shivering ranks of gray, But nothing happens. Dawn is personified as female, but a cruel and merciless taker not a creator of life – subversion of caring and compassionate Mother Nature Monotony of the weather; regardless of what happens, the outlook – war/weather -is grim, relentless The incessant waiting continues

Has the battle started again? It is compared as less ‘deathly’ than the snow: use of sibilance (repetition of ‘s’ sound) – soft sound to highlight how deadly weather can be in comparison. Alliteration of soft ‘f’ sound – highlight the seemingly perpetual onslaught of the snow Sudden successive flights of bullets streak the silence. Less deadly than the air that shudders black with snow, With sidelong flowing flakes that flock, pause and renew, We watch them wandering up and down the wind's nonchalance, But nothing happens. ‘Black’ – death? emphasises the constancy of the extreme cold and misery Passing time – watching snowfall. Weather uncaring. Are they more likely to die from the cold than a bullet? Repetition – waiting, waiting.

Juxtaposition of the fear and bleakness of trench warfare with the gentle images of the British countryside Nature is the real enemy, coming unawares, silent assassin Pale flakes with lingering stealth come feeling for our faces We cringe in holes, back on forgotten dreams, and stare, snowdazed, Deep into grassier ditches. So we drowse, sun-dozed, Littered with blossoms trickling where the blackbird fusses. Is it that we are dying? Memories of home Wonders if the images are an sign they are dying Hypnotic effect of the snow Use of half-rhyme – leaves us dissatisfied. Reflects his ideas that war is also not what it should be

Repetition of closed – emphasises the hopelessness of not being allowed into the War can kill spiritually? warmth Caesura: prepare us for their memories and thoughts Slowly our ghosts drag home: glimpsing the sunk fires glozed With crusted dark-red jewels; crickets jingle there; For hours the innocent mice rejoice: the house is theirs; Shutters and doors all closed: on us the doors are closed We turn back to our dying. The fires are beautiful but, like jewels, offer no warmth or comfort feelings of comfort and satisfaction linked with the dream of home House is deserted; would they be welcome if they went home? They are compelled and expected to stay where they are.

They fear that if the enemy isn’t conquered that there will never be fires burning in the hearths of home again. War is for a just cause, to give security to the generations to come. Since we believe not otherwise can kind fires burn; Now ever suns smile true on child, or field, or fruit. For God's invincible spring our love is made afraid; Therefore, not loath, we lie out here; therefore were born, For love of God seems dying. Suggests that the men die willingly for others – Christ-like He questions us - is war caused because man's love for God is dying or God's love for man is dying?

War can lead to a loss of faith in God/God is responsible for the suffering caused by nature To-night, His frost will fasten on this mud and us, Shrivelling many hands and puckering foreheads crisp. The burying-party, picks and shovels in their shaking grasp, Pause over half-known faces. All their eyes are ice, But nothing happens. The reality of fulfilling this last duty for comrades Death will come to some but from the conditions , not the enemy Poem comes full circle - the same vicious cycle lies in wait for the fresh recruits.

• Who is the biggest threat to man? – – – – Man himself War Bullets Weather Nature Duty / Compulsion / Expectation Absence of God