Anthem for Doomed Youth Analysis

Anthem for Doomed Youth
by Wilfred Owen

What passing-bells for these who die as cattle?
— Only the monstrous anger of the guns.
Only the stuttering rifles’ rapid rattle
Can patter out their hasty orisons.
No mockeries now for them; no prayers nor bells;
Nor any voice of mourning save the choirs,—
The shrill, demented choirs of wailing shells;
And bugles calling for them from sad shires.

What candles may be held to speed them all?
Not in the hands of boys, but in their eyes
Shall shine the holy glimmers of goodbyes.
The pallor of girls’ brows shall be their pall;
Their flowers the tenderness of patient minds,
And each slow dusk a drawing-down of blinds.

Anthem for Doomed Youth Summary:
"Anthem for Doomed Youth" Popularity: Wilfred Owen, a well-known British poet, wrote this poem. It is one of the tragic sonnets also known as a funeral dedication for soldiers in WWI. It was first published in 1917 and talks about the death of soldiers in the battle of the Somme or Passchendaele, it explains how soldiers die defenseless on the battlefield and have no one to give them a proper burial after their sacrifice. One of the notable aspects of the poem is the poet's rejection of God and religion after seeing the suffering around him.
“Hymn for the doomed youth” as representative of death: the poem presents the sadness and agony of the speaker for the loss of life during the war. The poem begins with the gruesome death of the soldiers. The poet sadly says that no one rings the bells for those who die like cattle on the battlefield. They never receive formal ceremonies to honor his death, instead, both sides of the soldiers receive the wrath of weapons and rifles, although they fight tirelessly, they do not hear sounds of mourning or cremation, they are brutally shot to death, the poet expresses his agony. while he remembers that no one lights candles to commemorate him. Only girls with their pale faces who could be their mother, girlfriend or close relatives lay flowers.
Main themes in “Anthem for Doomed Youth”: Horrors of war, death and Suffering are the main themes of this poem. The poet paints a realistic picture of the battlefield. Readers must realize how soldiers sacrifice their lives to defend their country, but civilians honor their deaths. They are killed like animals during wars. Generally, at funerals for the deceased, bells ring and prayers are offered; however, the soldiers do not have that privilege, instead of bells and prayers sounds of guns, fires and projectiles are heard after their death. they only cry at the news of his death.
Analysis of the literary devices used in “Anthem for Doomed Youth”
Literary devices are tools that writers and poets use to convey their emotions, feelings and ideas to readers.

Assonance: Assonance is the repetition of vowel sounds in the same line, for example, the sound of / o / in this poem to express your ideas. “There is no teasing now for them; without prayers or bells ”and“ Only the monstrous wrath of the cannons ”.
Consonance: The consonance is the repetition of consonant sounds in the same line. For example the sound of / l / in "The shrill, insane choirs of plaintive clams".
Alliteration: Alliteration is the repetition of consonant tones in the same line in quick succession. For example the sound of / r / in “Just the rapid rattle of the stuttering guns”; the sound of / d / "And every slow twilight a lowering of the blinds" and the sound of / g / in "Shall let the sacred glimmer of parting shine" .
Enjambment: It is defined as a thought in verse that does not come to an end at a line break; Instead, move on to the next line. For example
“Not in the hands of boys, but in their eyes
Shall the sacred glimmers of parting shine.

Images: Images are used to trick readers into perceiving things that affect their five senses. For example: "What bells for those who die as cattle"; “Not in the hands of boys, but in their eyes” and “Shall let the sacred glimmers of parting shine.”
Rhetorical question: The rhetorical question is a statement that is said or asked to make the point clear, without answers to expect bells for those who die as cattle? "and" What candles can be held to speed them all up? "
Simile: It is a phrase used to compare an object or person to something else to make the meanings clear. In the first few lines a parable is used in this poem For example: “What bells for those who die as cattle.” Here the poet compares dead soldiers with cattle.
Personification: Personification means giving human qualities to non-living objects. For example, weapons are personified in the second line of the poem, "only the monstrous wrath of weapons", as if the weapons are people who can express anger.
Analysis of poetic devices used in "Anthem for Doomed Youth"
Poetic and literary Devices are the same, but some are only used in poetry. Here is the analysis of some of the poetic devices used in this poem.

Sonnet: A sonnet is a fourteen line poem. "Anthem for Doomed Youth" is a Petrarchan sonnet up to an octave and a sestet.
Rhymus Scheme: The rhyme scheme that the poem follows is ABAB CDCD EFFE GG.
End Rhyme: End rhyme is used to make the verse melodious. For example "cattle / rattle", "all / pall" "and" heads / blinds ".
Quotes used
The lines can be used to express sadness and anger who die an unnatural death or become victims of terrorism.

" Which candles can held to speed them all up?
Not in the hands of the boys, but in their eyes
The holy sparkles of goodbyes will shine forth
The paleness of the eyebrows of the girls will be their paleness;
Its flowers the tenderness of patient minds,
And every slow evening, a lowering of the blinds.