The Deserter Vs The Hero

91 views
Skip to first unread message

Rooster

unread,
Jun 7, 2009, 2:04:34 AM6/7/09
to World War One Literature
Hello All,
I know we all have known and heard of this poem many times, but i was
just wanting to know what is the theme is portrayed in both of the
poems below, and also how do they compare is there much difference
between them.

Thanks in advance

The Deserter - Winifred Letts

There was a man,- don't mind his name.
Whom Fear had dogged by night and day.
He could not face the German guns
And so he turned and ran away,
Just that- he turned and ran away,
But whop can judge him, you or I?
God makes a man of flesh and blood
Who yearns to live and not to die.
And this man when he feared to die
Was scared as any frightened child,
his knees were shaking under him,
His breath came fast, his eyes were wild,
with throbbing heart and sobbing breath.
But oh! it shames one's soul to see
A man in abject fear of death.
But fear had gripped him, so had death;
His number had gone up that day,
They might not heed his frightened eyes,
They shot him when the dawn was grey,
He stood there in a place apart,
The shots rang out and down he fell,
An English bullet in his heart.
An English bullet in his heart!
But here's the irony of life,-
His mother thinks he fought and fell
A hero, foremost in the strife.
So she goes proudly; to the strife
Her best, her hero son she gave.
O well for her she does not know
He lies in a deserter's grave.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
The Hero - Siegfried Sassoon

‘Jack fell as he’d have wished,’ the Mother said,
And folded up the letter that she’d read.
‘The Colonel writes so nicely.’ Something broke
In the tired voice that quavered to a choke.
She half looked up. ‘We mothers are so proud
Of our dead soldiers.’ Then her face was bowed.

Quietly the Brother Officer went out.
He’d told the poor old dear some gallant lies
That she would nourish all her days, no doubt.
For while he coughed and mumbled, her weak eyes
Had shone with gentle triumph, brimmed with joy,
Because he’d been so brave, her glorious boy.

He thought how ‘Jack’, cold-footed, useless swine,
Had panicked down the trench that night the mine
Went up at Wicked Corner; how he’d tried
To get sent home, and how, at last, he died,
Blown to small bits. And no one seemed to care
Except that lonely woman with white hair.

Stace

unread,
Jun 16, 2009, 7:14:39 PM6/16/09
to World War One Literature
Hello! I'll be more than happy to add my thoughts – you have asked for
explanations at a distinctly exam-primed period, by the way...

But – what do you see in these poems yourself? Rhyme scheme, imagery,
other poetic devices (e.g. caesura, run-on lines / enjambment, end-
stops, &c, &c).

Ask yourself – do you like these poems? If yes / no – why?

And – why have you presented these two poem for consideration?

All about titles...

Stace

Christopher

unread,
Jun 17, 2009, 10:44:30 AM6/17/09
to World War One Literature
Indeed.
A small addition - for what it is worth.
Do not overlook the importance of both titles.
They may well indicate a difference in the 'points of view' from which
the desertion is dealt with.
Don't forget the part played by the mothers, either.

Chris
> > Except that lonely woman with white hair.- Hide quoted text -
>
> - Show quoted text -

Margaret Crane

unread,
Jun 17, 2009, 7:02:42 PM6/17/09
to ww1...@googlegroups.com
I have to say - you must have been given some clues in the classroom! At
least use those to start with - offer us a genuine discussion, and we'll
join in!

For a starter - if you heard the word "coward" in the present day, how would
you react? How do you think people would have reacted to that word ninety
years ago?

Meg
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------



No virus found in this incoming message.
Checked by AVG - www.avg.com
Version: 8.5.339 / Virus Database: 270.12.76/2183 - Release Date: 06/17/09
05:53:00

Rooster

unread,
Jul 5, 2009, 11:03:58 PM7/5/09
to World War One Literature

Wow thanks for all your help,
i will try to re-analyse this again :)
Reply all
Reply to author
Forward
0 new messages