a terre

During the first years of the World War 1914-1918, the concept of being a soldier was associated with ideas of heroism, courage and gallantry; however Owen contradicts these ideas stating 'This book is not about heroes.' Wilfred Owen, a former patriot, writes of the cruel realisms of war and conflict, and the suffering inflicted on those who were fighting, highlighting that there is no glamour or glory in battle. This is successfully conveyed as throughout Owens poetry the soldiers appear and are portrayed as weak and defenceless a juxtaposition to the stereotype, which many would have associated with these courageous and fearless men. Owen is evidently trying to unsettle those who believed opposite, individuals who were of the opinion that to fight for ones country was honourable and moral, this was due to propaganda poetry of the time such as, Jessie Pope, who fools the young men into believing fighting for ones country was admirable ‘For there’s only one course to pursue, Your country is up to her neck in a fight, And she’s looking and calling for you’, this is shown through her most popular poem ‘Who’s for The Game’. It is conveyed through Owen's 'Preface' that he writes his poems to inform and notify, rather than to try and delude or deceive those who were waiting 'all a poet can do is warn. That is why the true poets must be truthful' Owen writes to try and prevent a war from reoccurring demonstrating that there is no honour in battle, and successfully demonstrates  war to be a waste, for both the boys who were fighting, and the land which was being demolished and destroyed as a result of the constant battle.

It is evident from all of Owen's previous work that his focal intention is to try and avert another war from occuring, however, it is apparent that in 'Strange Meeting' Owen questions his ability to do so. Fearing, he may have killed the one soldier who has the potential to tell "the truth untold" ('Strange Meeting') This is the first time we see Owen doubting his ability, this may be due to the fact that he too has accepted the responsibilities of war, and the realisation that he like many others have been apart of the killing and demolishing of fellow comrades prospects and abilities. Stating there to be no glory or honour during or after battle but instead sorrow, misery and regret.

The full poem consists of 65 lines, separated into 12 individual stanzas. Through the skillful use of para rhyme and enjambment the poem appears unsettling, reflecting the overall mood and feeling and mood of death and desperation to live just that bit longer, "A short life and a merry one, my brick!"

"A Terre" which translates to "to the ground" is a religious reference, from the book of 'Genesis', which was commonly spoken at religious funeral services, we are aware that Owen had a religious upbringing, and therefore occasionaly reference this in his poetry. The poem depicts the lack of glamour and glory in war, as the reader witnesses Owen pleading to "God" and expressing his desire and longing to live "We used to say we'd hate to live dead old,Yet now . . . I'd willingly be puffy, bald, And patriotic."similarly in Miners "arms streched out, well cheered" and "comforted years will sit soft chaired" Both indicate the comfort of being old. However, it is too apparent that Owen acts as a spokes person for the other dying comrades, therefore in its entirety "A Terre" is the philosophy of many soldiers, and the bleak way in which each will live out the remains of their life, A juxtaposition to the honour many men would have hoped war would have provided.

Similar to many other of Owen's work he alternates between the pains of the past; the suffering, agony and anguish, felt during the actual experience of battle, as well as the pain of the present "he plunges at me guttering, choking, drowning" ('Dulce et Decorum Est') through the use of gerund verbs, it demonstrates to the reader, Owen as well as many who wold have fought, are unable to escape the image of their dying comrades which haunts and disturbs, from within their memory. Conveying the suffering of war time, are never endings. Owen usually develops these ideas through scenarios such as dreams and nightmares, therefore allowing the reader too associate with this terror and fright.

A Terre is a poem about the physical loss suffered by a soldier entrapped within his deteriorating body. He is describing to the reader the mental and physical effects of his condition that have made him less than human, "I'm blind and three parts shell," and powerless over his own body "fingers fidgit like ten idle brats" Owen skillfully suggests the soldiers frustration through his constant use of emotive language. 

Much like Owen's "Disabled," the speaker seems to be waiting for something "sat in a wheeled chair, waiting for dark" that will allow him to escape from his situation, even if that means death. Whilst he waits he reflects upon the life war has made him lose, a once healthy and undeniable boy who had "Artists silly for is face" ('Disabled') However now Owen suggests that he as well as many others are so damaged that even rodents have more freedom than them, "O Life, Life, let me breathe, a dug-out rat!" Suggesting these creatures to be "safe" a contrast to how Owen, as well as the reader views the soldiers. Therefore understandable why many suggest being "insensible" unaware or not remorseful for the lives or limbs that you have taken, is the only way to live through the war yourself. This assists in suggesting that war does not result in glory, and the effects of war are not glamorous, but instead devastating, cruel and undignified. Owen suggests that many who are fortunate to return from battle, still however die an invalid of disease be it mental or physical.

Following on from this, an object which many would presume and associate with being glorified "I have my medals" Owen however responds rhetorically, explaining that instead medals "are the disks that make his eyes close" It is evident from research that Owen studied the classics at school therefore throughout the entirety of this poem he makes close reference to these times, revealing in a previous stanza that similar to Owen, Greek Gods were too "buried with pennies on their eyes." Conveying there to be no glory or glamour during or after war, but instead loss, distress and anguish.