Dulce et Decorum Est and the Technological Horrors of World War I

Wilfred Owen was a British soldier and poet who fought in World War I. The poem vividly describes the physical and emotional toll of war, and highlights the stark contrast between the glorification of war in popular culture and the brutal reality experienced by soldiers on the front lines.

Source 1

Bent double, like old beggars under sacks, Knock-kneed, coughing like hags, we cursed through sludge, Till on the haunting flares we turned our backs, And towards our distant rest began to trudge. Men marched asleep. Many had lost their boots, But limped on, blood-shod. All went lame; all blind; Drunk with fatigue; deaf even to the hoots Of gas-shells dropping softly behind.

Gas! GAS! Quick, boys!—An ecstasy of fumbling Fitting the clumsy helmets just in time, But someone still was yelling out and stumbling And flound’ring like a man in fire or lime.— Dim through the misty panes and thick green light, As under a green sea, I saw him drowning.

In all my dreams before my helpless sight, He plunges at me, guttering, choking, drowning.

Wilfred Owen. "Dulce et Decorum Est."

Question 1

Short answer

Identify ONE technological advancement described in the excerpt.

Question 2

Short answer

Explain ONE way the technological advancement described in the excerpt affected the course of World War I.

Question 3

Short answer

Explain ONE reason warring nations in World War I adopted the technological advancement described in the excerpt.

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