AP Success - AP World History: War Horrors Through Poetry
"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
The imagery used by Wilfred Owen in 'Dulce et Decorum Est' primarily serves to:
Illustrate the technological advancements in warfare during the early 20th century.
Glorify the heroism and bravery of soldiers in battle.
Convey the gruesome realities and human suffering experienced by soldiers during World War I.
Promote the idea that dying for one's country is a noble and honorable end.
Question 2
The tone of 'Dulce et Decorum Est' can best be described as:
Bitter and condemning.
Neutral and observational.
Optimistic and hopeful.
Patriotic and uplifting.
Question 3
The phrase 'Dulce et Decorum Est' is a Latin phrase that means 'It is sweet and proper.' How does the poem's content relate to this phrase?
The poem is unrelated to the phrase and focuses solely on the personal experiences of the poet.
The poem supports the phrase by showing the honor in sacrificing oneself for the nation.
The poem challenges the notion that it is sweet and proper to die for one's country by depicting the horrors of war.
The poem uses the phrase to emphasize the importance of maintaining one's dignity in the face of adversity.
Question 4
The use of phrases like 'blood-shod' and 'drunk with fatigue' in the poem is an example of:
A call to arms for the younger generation to join the war effort.
Figurative language to emphasize the physical and mental toll of war on soldiers.
An allegory for the political situation in Europe leading up to World War I.
Literal descriptions of the soldiers' uniforms and equipment.
Question 5
The repeated references to sensory experiences (sight, sound, touch) in the poem are used to:
Demonstrate the advancements in medical treatments for soldiers.
Immerse the reader in the visceral and chaotic environment of the battlefield.
Showcase the poet's personal detachment from the events described.
Highlight the camaraderie and brotherhood among the soldiers.
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