Exposure by Wilfred Owen

Possible interpretations of ‘Exposure’ 1.Exposure describes the extreme weather conditions which men were subjected to in the trenches and what they also died of. A different type of suffering. 2.Exposing the actuality of war in the Trenches. 3.Perhaps Owen ‘exposes’ himself to public criticism?

Our brains ache, in the merciless iced east winds that knife us... Wearied we keep awake because the night is silent... Low drooping flares confuse our memory of the salient... Worried by silence, sentries whisper, curious, nervous, But nothing happens. Assonance – sharp ‘A’ sound to indicate the physical pain Personification of wind – harsh, cruel Harsh monosyllabic words – emphasise the harsh conditions Ellipses, wants us to ponder on the idea, cruel winter Assonance – elongated ‘e’ sound to emphasise their fatigue Reference to Keats’ Ode to a Nightingale Assonance – O – slows pace – like time dragging on? Unnatural silence – makes soldiers nervous Sibilance of the repeated ‘s’ sound creates the effect of whispering, an attempt to not draw the attention of the enemy, who are futilely using flares to see what is going on.

Watching, we hear the mad gusts tugging on the wire. Like twitching agonies of men among its brambles. Northward incessantly, the flickering gunnery rumbles, Far off, like a dull rumour of some other war. What are we doing here? Weather brings back memories of watching fellow solders die on the barbed wire Real war seems distant, while they nervously wait Distant sounds of war Rhetorical question – is there presence pointless? How? Why?

The poignant misery of dawn begins to grow... We only know war lasts, rain soaks, and clouds sag stormy. Dawn massing in the east her melancholy army Attacks once more in ranks on shivering ranks of gray, But nothing happens. Use of ellipsis – time dragging on? Make the reader reflect on soldiers’ misery? Even dawn brings no comfort Monotony of the weather; regardless of what happens, the outlook – war/weather - is grim, relentless Dawn is personified as female, but a cruel and merciless taker not a creator of life – subversion of caring and compassionate Mother Nature The incessant waiting continues Military language to describe the daily assault of the weather

Sudden successive flights of bullets streak the silence. Less deadly than the air that shudders black with snow, With sidelong flowing flakes that flock, pause and renew, We watch them wandering up and down the wind's nonchalance, But nothing happens. Has the battle started again? It is compared as less ‘deathly’ than the snow: use of sibilance (repetition of ‘s’ sound) – soft sound to highlight how deadly weather can be in comparison. emphasises the constancy of the extreme cold and misery Alliteration of soft ‘f’ sound – highlight the seemingly perpetual onslaught of the snow ‘Black’ – death? Passing time – watching snowfall. Weather uncaring. Repetition – waiting, waiting. Are they more likely to die from the cold than a bullet?

Pale flakes with lingering stealth come feeling for our faces - We cringe in holes, back on forgotten dreams, and stare, snow- dazed, Deep into grassier ditches. So we drowse, sun-dozed, Littered with blossoms trickling where the blackbird fusses. Is it that we are dying? Nature is the real enemy, coming unawares, silent assassin Memories of home Hypnotic effect of the snow Use of half-rhyme – leaves us dissatisfied. Reflects his ideas that war is also not what it should be Wonders if the images are an sign they are dying Juxtaposition of the fear and bleakness of trench warfare with the gentle images of the British countryside

Slowly our ghosts drag home: glimpsing the sunk fires glozed With crusted dark-red jewels; crickets jingle there; For hours the innocent mice rejoice: the house is theirs; Shutters and doors all closed: on us the doors are closed - We turn back to our dying. Repetition of closed – emphasises the hopelessness of not being allowed into the warmth War can kill spiritually? feelings of comfort and satisfaction linked with the dream of home The fires are beautiful but, like jewels, offer no warmth or comfort House is deserted; would they be welcome if they went home? They are compelled and expected to stay where they are. Caesura: prepare us for their memories and thoughts

Since we believe not otherwise can kind fires burn; Now ever suns smile true on child, or field, or fruit. For God's invincible spring our love is made afraid; Therefore, not loath, we lie out here; therefore were born, For love of God seems dying. Suggests that the men die willingly for others – Christ-like He questions us - is war caused because man's love for God is dying or God's love for man is dying? They fear that if the enemy isn’t conquered that there will never be fires burning in the hearths of home again. War is for a just cause, to give security to the generations to come.

To-night, His frost will fasten on this mud and us, Shrivelling many hands and puckering foreheads crisp. The burying-party, picks and shovels in their shaking grasp, Pause over half-known faces. All their eyes are ice, But nothing happens. War can lead to a loss of faith in God/God is responsible for the suffering caused by nature Death will come to some but from the conditions, not the enemy The reality of fulfilling this last duty for comrades Poem comes full circle - the same vicious cycle lies in wait for the fresh recruits.

Who is the biggest threat to man – Man himself – War – Bullets – Weather – Nature – Duty / Compulsion / Expectation – Absence of God Your Task: – Pick one of these points and find three quotes to support your argument.