engleski

The Poetry of the Great War and Propaganda

First World War engendered not only one kind of poetry, but a number of movements, with various purposes, which reflected the fragmentation of the period. Furthermore, even when analyzing the poetry of propaganda one can conclude there is not only one type of poetry. This thesis has demonstrated the difference between three poets, each of whom represents a distinct style of poetry, but whose poetry explicitly assisted in the war cause. These specific examples illustrate different aspects of pre-war and earlier war poetry, but they also serve the same purpose, to exalt the war, to inspire the nation, to belittle the enemy. The poets, however, did not participate directly in the combat, so their perspective is one from outside the trenches. On the other hand, the thesis has also shown the other side of the coin, that is, the Trench poetry. This is the poetry that depicted the bloodshed as the soldiers experienced it, horrifyingly and gruesomely in some cases, bitterly and furiously in others. But mostly, this poetry was mournful and heartbreaking, distressing for everyone who did not live through the same pain and terror, as the Trench poets found their inspiration in the trauma they experienced. However, it is important to note that what the Trench poets objected to the most was the depiction of war and of their sacrifice in the public imagination. Even though they expressed their hesitation and even outright disapproval of some instances, they still risked their lives by continuing to fight. What they could not accept is not being heard and being reduced to war casualties and corpses in the fields. The Trench poets could not accept glorification of their sacrifice, the embellished descriptions of their deaths. They could not accept being silenced and living with their memories alone, in fear of being rejected for what was thrust upon them.

War poetry, Trench poetry, propaganda, trauma

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