Wilfred Owen uses a variety of techniques to convey his didactic viewpoints to his readers. Owen uses the poem to tell the reader the story of World War One’s impact on youth. This allows his concern for them to develop. Owen shows his concern for young people by using language techniques.
Owen demonstrates the social impact that the World War has had on the young. Owen introduces this concept by describing war’s ‘innocent voices’. This idea creates a sense of inclusion for all nations. The punny plural noun, “tongues”, establishes that there are many different languages involved in the battle and also shows how global the impact of this war is. This is crucial as it represents youth. It also creates an impression of innocence, as these young men are not familiar with war or its effects. Owen’s concern over all World War One youths can be demonstrated by using this language.
Owen discusses in “Anthem for Doomed Youth” the influence of propaganda and social expectations on his society. Owen accomplishes this through the inclusion of the idea the youth is born to perish. The statement that’men are born to die’ supports this idea. In the simile, the adverb ‘as’ is used to show that the young men have been given a status similar to animals. This shows the submission of youth due social pressures. The use of the symbol ‘cattle’, which is understood to be a death connotation with the slaughtering of cattle for their meat, is further evidence of this. This atmosphere is created using the concepts of social pressures as well as being born to be dead. Owen has consistently condemned propaganda through his poetry, and it is this subtly manipulative atmosphere that is important. Owen develops the idea that social expectations have an impact on youth.
Owen is concerned about the youth when he mentions their naivety. Owen expresses his concern for the youth by stating, “The boys are eager to achieve desperate glory”. The word ‘ardent” is used to convey the eagerness and excitement of the young men in joining the war. This excerpt is an aid to Owen, as it discreetly foreshadows what the boys are going through. The word “ardent” is used to foreshadow the pain that the boys will endure. This most likely refers the the burning gas attacks as a weapon. This burning image is a powerful one because it contrasts against the characterisation of the young as ‘desperate. The youth are misinformed by this word ‘desperate.’ Owen’s justification of his concern for young people is strengthened by this information.
Owen also shows concern for youths through illustrating how patriotism has led to a lack of concern on the part of their parents for the welfare of youths. Owen does this by asking in ‘Anthem For Doomed Youth,’ in a vocal manner, ‘what candle may be held in order to speed them up?’ The direct tone and the questioning language helps to induce an emotive response in the reader. Owen’s idea of a divided family is also supported by his use of symbolic language. Owen does so by describing what the families are doing as a ‘drawing-down blinds’. This is crucial because it is referring to the family of the young boys, and develops the concept of ignorance that the boys suffered during World War One. The concern for the war-weary youth is enhanced by this division. Owen’s concern for the young is further emphasized by the development of this idea.
Owen’s criticism of war is evident in all of his works, including ‘Dulce et Decorum Est.’ and Anthem For Doomed Youth.’ In his four main areas, Owen condemns war. These are: forced inclusion in society, social pressures, naive behaviour, and division. Owen lets the reader know that he cares about the youth by describing them in these four areas. In a poem entitled ‘Dulce et Decorum Est”, Owen says, “The old lie”: Dulce et Decorum Est Patria Mori.
