“Base Details” Siegfried Sassoon.

Question 2005 Question 14 Choose a poem in which humour ( e.g satire, wit or irony) plays a significant part. Show how the poet makes the poem humorous and discuss how important humour is to the underlying message of the poem.

Show how the poet makes the poem humorous Well, how does Sassoon do this? He creates a stereotype of the major, a ridiculous caricature at whom we laugh and for whom we have no respect. Sassoon has created a character who shows us the very worst excesses of those in command. Everything he writes is exaggerated but that is not the point: the point is that the caricature he has created makes it very clear that we should condemn the majors for their treatment of the men under their command. Which brings us to … discuss how important humour is to the underlying message of the poem.

What is the underlying message of the poem? That the majors in command in the First World War were unfit to lead and betrayed the men in their command. Sassoon is bitter and angry about what he regarded an unnecessary and unforgivable waste of human life. He is condemning those he holds responsible. In this essay, it is your job to explain how Sassoon used his caricature of the majors to make his very serious point.

Structure Introduction Name of poet Name of poem Brief overview: Sassoon adopting the persona of the major. Explain it is a satire. Explain poet’s purpose . If you show you understand the above points, you will be answering the question.

Title and Form Write a topic sentence saying that the form of the poem is important in in creating the satire and, in turn, conveys the poet’s message that the majors should eb condemned. Mention ambiguity of title. The form of the poem. For each of these examples you must explain how they answer the question. How is humour created and how does this does this make you think about the poet’s serious message.

Callous disregard If I were fierce, and bald, and short of breath, I'd live with scarlet Majors at the Base, And speed glum heroes up the line to death.

Self indulgence You'd see me with my puffy petulant face, Guzzling and gulping in the best hotel,

Hypocrisy and self deception Reading the Roll of Honour. "Poor young chap," I'd say "I used to know his father well; Yes, we've lost heavily in this last scrap."

Self satisfaction And when the war is done and youth stone dead, I'd toddle safely home and die - in bed.

Conclusion