The Next War

Wilfred Owen's poem "The Next War" can be classified as a modernist poem due to several key characteristics that align with modernist themes and techniques. Here are the main aspects that highlight its modernist qualities:

1. Subversion of Traditional Forms

Although "The Next War" is structured as a sonnet, Owen blends elements of both Petrarchan and Shakespearean sonnets, creating an unconventional rhyme scheme (ABBAABBA CDECDE). This deviation from strict forms reflects modernist tendencies to challenge and reinterpret traditional poetic structures, signaling a break from the past.

2. Themes of Disillusionment and Absurdity

Modernist literature often grapples with themes of disillusionment, particularly in the wake of World War I. Owen's poem critiques the glorification of war and the empty rhetoric surrounding it. By portraying Death as a companion rather than an enemy, Owen emphasises the absurdity of soldiers fighting for nationalistic ideals when they are ultimately battling against death itself. This theme of disillusionment resonates with modernist sentiments that question established values and beliefs.

3. Psychological Depth and Trauma

Owen wrote "The Next War" while undergoing treatment for shell shock, a condition now recognised as PTSD. The poem reflects the psychological trauma experienced by soldiers, a common theme in modernist literature. The personification of Death and the soldiers' familiarity with it illustrate the emotional toll of war, moving beyond surface-level descriptions to explore deeper psychological realities.

4. Irony and Cynicism

The use of irony in the poem, particularly in the opening lines quoting Siegfried Sassoon, underscores a modernist sensibility. Sassoon's assertion that "War's a joke for me and you" sets a tone of cynicism that permeates Owen's work. This ironic detachment from the subject matter is characteristic of modernist literature, which often employs humor and sarcasm to critique societal norms and expectations.

5. Focus on Individual Experience

Modernism frequently emphasises individual experience and subjective reality. In "The Next War," Owen captures the personal experiences of soldiers as they confront death and the futility of war. The poem's intimate portrayal of soldiers' emotions and thoughts reflects modernist interests in the complexities of human experience.

In summary, "The Next War" exemplifies modernist poetry through its subversion of traditional forms, exploration of disillusionment and trauma, use of irony, and focus on individual experience. Owen's poignant critique of war and its absurdities aligns with the broader modernist movement, making the poem a significant work within this literary context.

Context of "The Next War"

Wilfred Owen's poem "The Next War" was written during World War I, specifically in September 1917, while he was being treated for shell shock (now recognised as PTSD) at Craiglockhart Hospital. This context is crucial for understanding the poem's themes and messages.

1. Historical Context

The poem reflects the horrors and disillusionment of World War I, a conflict characterised by unprecedented levels of violence and loss of life. Owen, like many soldiers, experienced the brutal realities of trench warfare, which deeply influenced his writing. The poem critiques the romanticized notions of war that were prevalent at the time, contrasting them with the grim experiences of soldiers on the front lines.

2. Influence of Siegfried Sassoon

The epigraph from fellow poet Siegfried Sassoon sets the tone for the poem. Sassoon's line, "War’s a joke for me and you," introduces a sense of irony that permeates Owen's work. Both poets shared a similar disillusionment with the war and used their poetry as a form of protest against its glorification. Owen's inclusion of Sassoon's words reflects their camaraderie and shared experiences as soldiers who sought to convey the truth about war's futility.

3. Personal Experience

Owen's personal experiences in the war, including his own struggles with mental health, inform the poem's perspective on death. The personification of Death as a "chum" illustrates how soldiers became desensitized to death, viewing it as a constant companion rather than a fearsome adversary. This familiarity with death highlights the psychological toll of war and the coping mechanisms soldiers developed in response to their traumatic experiences.

4. Literary Context

"The Next War" is part of Owen's broader body of work that aims to convey the "pity of war." His poetry often explores themes of suffering, loss, and the absurdity of conflict. The sonnet form, with its traditional associations with love and beauty, is subverted in this poem to address the grim realities of war, further emphasising the contrast between societal expectations and the lived experiences of soldiers.

In summary, the context of "The Next War" is deeply rooted in the historical realities of World War I, the personal experiences of Wilfred Owen, and the influence of fellow poets like Siegfried Sassoon. This context enriches the poem's themes of disillusionment, the absurdity of war, and the complex relationship soldiers have with death.

Wilfred Owen's poem "The Next War" serves several significant purposes, reflecting his experiences as a soldier during World War I and his views on the nature of war and death.

1. Critique of War and Its Rhetoric

The poem critiques the glorification of war and the empty rhetoric surrounding it. Through the personification of Death as a familiar companion rather than an enemy, Owen highlights the absurdity of soldiers fighting for national pride and flags. The closing lines emphasize that soldiers are not truly fighting against other men but against the inevitability of death itself, which is often romanticized in patriotic narratives. Owen's portrayal of death as a "chum" underscores the futility of the soldiers' sacrifices, revealing the hollow nature of the ideals they are told to uphold.

2. Exploration of Familiarity with Death

Owen's depiction of death as an almost comical presence reflects the soldiers' desensitisation to violence and mortality. The poem illustrates how soldiers have become so accustomed to death that they engage with it in a light-hearted manner. This familiarity serves to emphasize the grim reality of trench warfare, where death is a constant companion, and soldiers must confront it daily. Owen's use of humor and irony in this context serves to deepen the impact of his message about the horrors of war.

3. Reflection on Human Experience and Suffering

The poem captures the shared experience of soldiers who face the trauma of war. By portraying death as a character with whom they interact, Owen conveys the emotional and psychological toll that warfare takes on individuals. The imagery of soldiers laughing and whistling in the face of death reflects a coping mechanism in response to the overwhelming fear and despair of their situation. This exploration of human suffering and resilience adds depth to the poem, making it a poignant commentary on the psychological effects of war.

4. Foreshadowing Future Conflicts

Owen's assertion that "better men would come, / And greater wars" suggests a cyclical nature to warfare, indicating that the lessons learned from one conflict are often forgotten in the face of future battles. This foreshadowing highlights the inevitability of war and the persistence of its associated tragedies, reinforcing the poem's anti-war message. It serves as a warning that the same mistakes will continue to be made, leading to further loss of life and suffering.

In summary, "The Next War" serves as a powerful critique of the glorification of war, explores the familiarity of soldiers with death, reflects on human suffering, and foreshadows the cyclical nature of conflict. Through these purposes, Owen effectively conveys his disillusionment with war and its devastating consequences

Wilfred Owen's choice of the sonnet form for "The Next War" helps reinforce the poem's central themes and message in several ways:

1. Tradition and Futility of War

The sonnet is a traditional poetic form, often associated with themes of love and romance. By using this established structure to convey the futility and brutality of war, Owen creates a jarring contrast that highlights the absurdity of armed conflict. The rigid form underscores the senselessness of war's rigid adherence to outdated ideals and traditions.

2. Octet-Sestet Division

The poem's division into an octet and a sestet mirrors the two-sided nature of war. The octet describes the soldiers' familiarity with death, while the sestet shifts to a more philosophical perspective, questioning the reasons for fighting. This structural split reflects the disconnect between the soldiers' experiences and the rhetoric used to justify war by those far removed from the battlefield.

3. Volta and Shift in Perspective

The volta, or turn, in a sonnet often marks a shift in perspective or argument. In "The Next War," the volta occurs at the start of the sestet, where Owen challenges the notion that soldiers fight against death for noble causes. This structural turning point reinforces the poem's central message - that war is futile and the reasons for fighting are hollow.

4. Rhyme Scheme and Closure

The poem's rhyme scheme, which combines elements of Petrarchan and Shakespearean sonnets, creates a sense of closure and finality. The concluding couplet, with its rhyming pair, underscores the poem's message that war will continue endlessly, with each generation of soldiers fighting for the same empty reasons. The sonnet's structure suggests a cyclical nature to war, with the form itself mirroring this endless repetition.

Therefore, Owen's use of the sonnet form in "The Next War" allows him to subvert expectations and highlight the disconnect between the ideals of war and its brutal realities. The structure enhances the poem's message by juxtaposing tradition with futility, dividing perspectives, and creating a sense of closure around the endless cycle of armed conflict.

Epigraph 

The epigraph from Siegfried Sassoon in Wilfred Owen's poem "The Next War" plays a significant role in framing the poem's themes and message. The lines read:

"War’s a joke for me and you,

While we know such dreams are true."

Significance of the Epigraph

1. Introduction of Irony and Cynicism: Sassoon's quote introduces a tone of irony that permeates the poem. By referring to war as a "joke," it sets up a contrast between the romanticised notions of warfare and the grim realities faced by soldiers. This irony is echoed throughout Owen's poem, where the familiarity with death is treated with a dark humor that underscores the absurdity of war.

2. Connection Between Poets: Sassoon and Owen were contemporaries and shared similar views on the horrors of World War I. By quoting Sassoon, Owen aligns himself with the sentiments of another prominent war poet, reinforcing the collective disillusionment among soldiers. This connection emphasizes a shared experience and critique of war, enhancing the poem's emotional impact.

3. Reflection on Reality vs. Idealism: The phrase "while we know such dreams are true" suggests a recognition of the harsh truths of war that contradict the idealistic dreams often portrayed in propaganda. This sets the stage for Owen's exploration of how soldiers confront death and the futility of their sacrifices, highlighting the disconnect between the glorified image of war and its brutal reality.

4. Foreshadowing the Poem's Themes: The epigraph foreshadows the themes of camaraderie with death and the trivialisation of life in battle. It prepares the reader for Owen's portrayal of death as an almost friendly presence, which is further developed in the poem. The soldiers' acceptance of death as a companion rather than an enemy reflects the sentiment expressed in Sassoon's lines.

In summary, the epigraph from Sassoon enriches "The Next War" by establishing a tone of irony, connecting Owen with broader anti-war sentiments, and foreshadowing the poem's exploration of the grim realities of war. It serves as a critical lens through which the reader can understand the poem's themes of disillusionment and the absurdity of conflict.

Wilfred Owen employs personification in "The Next War" to portray Death as a familiar, almost comical presence, which serves to highlight the absurdity and brutality of war.

Personification of Death

1. Death as a Companion: Owen personifies Death by depicting it as a friendly figure with whom soldiers interact. Lines such as "Out there, we’ve walked quite friendly up to Death" and "Oh, Death was never enemy of ours!" suggest that the soldiers have come to accept Death as a comrade rather than an adversary. This relationship underscores the normalization of death in the context of war, where it becomes an ever-present companion rather than a feared enemy.

2. Human Characteristics: Death is given human-like qualities, as seen in phrases like "He’s spat at us with bullets and he’s coughed shrapnel." This vivid imagery not only emphasizes the constant threat of death but also portrays it as an active participant in the war, engaging with soldiers in a grotesque manner. The use of these actions makes Death relatable, transforming it into a character that soldiers must contend with daily.

3. Light-hearted Imagery: Owen's portrayal of Death includes almost slapstick elements, such as "Pardoned his spilling mess-tins in our hand" and "We whistled while he shaved us with his scythe." This juxtaposition of humor with the grim reality of war creates a stark contrast that emphasizes the absurdity of the soldiers' situation. The scythe, a traditional symbol of the Grim Reaper, further reinforces the idea of Death as a familiar figure, albeit one with sinister undertones.

4. Acceptance of Death: The soldiers’ laughter and camaraderie with Death reflect a resigned acceptance of their fate. The line "He wars on Death – for lives; not men – for flags" encapsulates the paradox of their struggle, where they are not truly fighting against Death itself but rather for the lives of their comrades, emphasizing the futility of their efforts in the grand scheme of war

Through personification, Owen transforms Death into a character that soldiers interact with regularly, illustrating both the absurdity and the tragic familiarity of death in wartime. This technique effectively critiques the glorification of war and highlights the grim realities faced by those who serve.

• War and Death

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  In “The Next War,” a soldier describes his and his fellow soldiers’ relationship to a personified Death. Death is a constant presence in the soldiers’ lives, to the point that the soldiers treat Death like an “old chum”—a term that one might use to refer fondly to an old friend. Through this, the poem underscores the immense horror of war—in which something as terrible and fearsome as death is so common, so inescapable, that it becomes a familiar, intimate companion.
  Death surrounds the solders in the poem—when they eat, rest, and, of course, when they enter the battlefield. Yet familiar though he may be, Death’s remains rather repulsive and threatening throughout. Death is so physically close to the soldiers that they are even able to smell his breath, which has a disturbing “green thick odour.” This evokes images of chemical warfare, specifically poison gas.
  This sense of gross intimacy is further underscored by the image of Death “spilling mess-tins,” spitting at the soldiers “with bullets,” and “cough[ing] / Shrapnel.” Despite seeming like a decrepit, sickly pal, however, the speaker insists that “Death was never enemy of ours,” and that the soldiers would laugh and play with Death.
  The poem’s light-hearted tone creates a sense of irony meant to reflect how horrific and disturbing war really is. Indeed, the soldiers even “league” with Death. To “league” with someone is to become allies with them. The soldiers view Death as an ally on the same side of the war—which makes sense when considering that Death attacks the opposing army as well!
  The transformation of Death into a friendly companion highlights the physical and psychological horrors of war for soldiers, who are forced into camaraderie with the most frightening “chum” of all.

• War and Patriotism

The poem’s speaker, a nameless soldier, implicitly questions the purpose of war. Soldiers, the speaker observes, do not fight against death itself, because war is not some heroic act undertaken to save the lives of one’s countrymen. Instead, the poem argues, war is fought “for flags.” In other words, war is waged on behalf of countries, governments, and national pride—vague, non-human entities that have little to do with the soldiers dying (and killing) on their behalf.
Through this idea, the poem rejects notions of war as something noble or patriotic. It further suggests that the sacrifices war requires are made in vain, because war will not bring about peace or safety; rather, it will just lead to, as the title suggests, the “next war.”
In order to make this point, the speaker first establishes war’s immense cost: its death toll. Death is so omnipresent in the soldiers’ lives that the speaker personifies it as capital-D Death, an intimate wartime friend. What’s more, the soldiers don’t fight against Death, but rather alongside him. To that end, the soldiers have “chorussed” when Death “sang.” To “chorus” is to sing and perform together as a group. Consequently, when the soldiers “chorus,” they are a supporting musical accompaniment to Death’s song, enhancing Death’s music.Similarly, the soldiers have “whistled” even as Death cut them down “with his scythe.” This is an allusion to the image of Death as the Grim Reaper, a hooded figure holding a type of handheld blade used to cut crops (which the Grim Reaper uses to cut down the living). A scythe is often described as making a whistling sound when swung through the air. The whistlling of the soldiers, therefore, mirrors the whistlling of Death’s scythe, highlighting the similarities between Death and the soldiers. Both, the speaker suggests, cut down the living.

Soldiers are thus both victims and agents of death in war—an idea that helps puncture sanitized images of wartime glory and nobility by not letting the reader forget that soldiers are tasked with killing other human beings. As such, the soldiers are not “paid to kick against [Death’s] powers.” In other words, political leaders who pay soldiers to fight do not expect their soldiers to defeat death. Rather, political leaders expect their soldiers to kill enemy soldiers—or to die trying.

Political leaders and savvy soldiers, therefore, hold no illusions about the real purpose of war. Those who think otherwise seem foolish to the speaker, like “proud” braggarts who think they’re saving lives and don’t understand that they’re actually just fighting on behalf of a hollow symbol of national interests (a.k.a. that “flag”).

War also doesn’t lead to lasting peace or resolution in the poem. Indeed, the speaker and his fellow soldiers just laugh at the absurd knowledge that no matter what they do, other men will fight more wars in the future. The soldiers’ laughter is bleak and mocking, implying that the cycle of warfare is never-ending and pointless.

War, in the speaker's summation, is full of needless sacrifice, pointless death, and hollow causes. Political leaders might try to depict war as an act of patriotism and heroism. However, “The Next War” clearly refutes such idealisation. The poem argues that wars, and therefore the soldiers who fight in them, do not save lives or provide resolutions to conflicts; rather, they only further a cycle of death.