Comparing poems Done by the amazing Marina Roy and Lamis Izaky (we finished before Hannah and Liam)

A+B: Conscientious Objector+Exposure Analysis of Conscientious Objector – Structure: 4 stanzas of different amounts of lines, and no rhyming scheme. It starts off with a statement that is later on repeated for emphasis. Meaning/Title: Conscientious Objector is someone who refuses to go to war. They were looked down upon in society in the past, for they were seen as people who didn’t want to serve and defend their country. The tit le gives us the impression that it is about someone taking a stand and expressing their beliefs regardless to what other people may think of him. Imagery: Horse imagery, the narrator is the horse. Horses are a sign of freedom and strength, relating back to the title’s meaning. Secondly, he describes Death as a person, personifying it. He doesn’t seem scared of it, and he accepts this fact of life, but he also won’t adhere to it or conform to it easily.

Analysis of Conscientious Objector – Language: very descriptive. There are no metaphors or similes, hence it is a very direct and simplistic explicit message. The narrator uses words that brings connotations to horses, such as ‘stall’ ‘bridle’ and ‘girth’. The whole idea of horses shows a sense of a silent hero. They carry the soldiers and get no recognition for their help and assistance. Effect: The beginning, starting with a statement, makes it an abrupt start, making it a punch line to introduce the sense of confidence in the narrator. It has a harsh effect on us readers. Throughout the poem, the narrator seems to be arguing with Death. He seems angry at it, telling it he wont surrender to it and he will fight back. The tone is more awake and lively, it is in the moment and descriptive.

A+B: Conscientious Objector+Exposure Analysis of Exposure- Structure: 8 even stanzas of 5 lines, the 5 th line is always short. The 2 nd and 3 rd line always rhyme. At first glance, the poem looks organised in a certain pattern and looks like it conforms to poetry rules. Meaning: Explicitly, it describes the war between English and German people during the First World War. Wilfrid Owen realises how both camps are in the same harsh and drastic situation thus the poem is about the war between humans and the universe. Imagery: the imageries are harsh and violent, such as ‘iced east winds that knive us’. The scene is set as a cold and gloomy environment, just before dawn when the night is at its darkest.

Analysis of Exposure- Language: Metaphors- ‘the poignant misery of dawn begins to grow’ makes us fear the dawn, hence what is yet to come, a sense of fear is felt within us as the poem advances more and more. Repetition- ‘but nothing happens’, emphasis and makes keeps the readers anticipating something dangerous is going to happen. Listing- which creates suspense and adds to pace. Rhetorical Questions- They are directed at the reader and engages with them directly. It shows that the author is unsure of his situation and creates and atmosphere of uncertainty. Effects: The whole poem is a philosophical refection of Wilfrid Owens thoughts of the propose of war. He ponders on the thought of why the universe would allow such a situation to happen. As readers, the poem creates a tone of despairing resignation which makes us empathise for the narrator. It makes the reader feel helpless to his hopeless situation. Wilfrid Owen also uses pathetic fallacy where he describes the gloomy and depressing whether to reflect his helplessness.

Comparing A+B Similarities Both narrators are present in the situations- descriptive Both poems use enjambments to create a flow in the poem Both the poems have a contrast in the atmosphere as a whole and the structure of the poem: Conscientious Objector has the an uneven or ‘messy’ structure which contrasts the tone of certainty and confidence Exposure has the ‘official’ or conventional structure which implies certainty or organization but the tone is of uncertainty or nervousness. Exposure seems to be from someone who is younger as the rhetorical questions convey a sense of uncertainty or nervousness

Comparing A+B Differences Structure: Stanzas and Lines A has no rhyming within it whereas Exposure has some rhyming. Seems like the poems were written from 2 different perspectives; Conscientious Objector seems to take an older perspective or that of someone who is sure of themselves and is ready to stand up for what they believe in Both poems use repetition for emphasis

Comparing B+C We have chosen Belfast Confetti as our 3 rd poem to compare. Similarities Narrators are present in the poem- Narrative. Listing; this adds to the pace and builds up suspense of upcoming events Both poems have the idea of death and the feeling of being trapped Both poems uses rhetorical questions to engage with the readers and to emphasise the idea of the poet being confused and nervous Both poems discuss the prospect of war or conflict and their effects on people involved in it.

Comparing B+C Differences Tone; Belfast Confetti has a quicker pace as compared to the somber tone and pace of Exposure Both set in different time periods Belfast Confetti uses 2 different tenses whereas Exposure only uses one tense throughout the whole poem The length of the poems are different; Belfast Confetti being more short and concise which gives the impression that the event happened in a rush. Exposure was much longer, giving the impression that the event dragged on as if it was never ending.

Comparing A+C Similarities Both don’t have rhyme. Both poems are short Both poems convey their messages through sound effects- ‘I hear the clatter on the barn- floor’ in Conscientious Objector ‘And the explosion’ in Belfast Confetti Both poems also describe pain or struggle; the torture described in Conscientious Objector and also the interrogation in Belfast Confetti. Both reluctant to the idea of conflict or war

Comparing A+C Differences Belfast Confetti seems like a monoligue whereas Conscientious Objector is more like a dialog between the Narrator and Death. Belfast Confetti builds suspense through the use of listing which creates an upbeat pace compared to the steady pace of Conscientious Objector. Belfast Confetti uses rhetorical questions to engage with the readers and covey the idea of confusion compared to the steady stance of the narrator in Conscientious Objector Conscientious Objector is sure about their ideas and believes whereas Belfast Confetti seems confused and unsure of the situation or where he stands in the event. The title of Conscientious Objector reflects the tone and message of the poem which is taking a stand and keeping to ones believe whereas Belfast Confetti’s title is a contrast to the poem; Confetti’s are usually used in celebrations but the word in this poem is actually falling pieces of metal in a riot.