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Comment 19 of 29, added on May 23rd, 2006 at 2:13 PM.
Hello, I'm from The Netherlands and we're reading poems on school about WO I. I'm really sorry if my english is not completely correct!
It's interesting to see the different opinions about 'Does it matter'. United Kingdom thinks it's sarcastic, United States takes it literal, as a patriotic poem.
I'm not sure, but I think Sassoon is displaying his bitterness. Many of Sassoon's poems are full of biting sarcasm directed at the people who still believed in the glorious side of war. He's also writing about the frustrations of the soldiers whose experiences in the trenches had made it impossible for them to lead normal lives again.
Especially the last line "And no one will worry a bit." displays Brooke's intention. He wants to protest against the civilians who are doing so easy about war. Yes, you should be glad you've survived war, but that's it?!? They just don't understand where the soldiers have gone through. They can't imagine. Everyone is living his own life.
Sietske from Netherlands
Comment 18 of 29, added on April 30th, 2006 at 9:47 AM.
The other Americans may wonder why I am using proper english and not our daft Americanised version, well its because I prefer English Spelling, it looks better and sounds better, plus I lived in england for about five years, and England is great so dont knock it until you go there. Anyway, I'm afraid most americans just dont get british humour and sarcasm unfortunatley. I also believe that the poem does not glorify war, there is nothing honourable and chivalrous about the subject matter. If you're looking for poetry which glamourises war go look at Jessie Pope or Sir Henry Newbolt. Unfortunately again people dont help each other another thing Sassoon is mocking 'For people will always be kind' Really, will they?, I highly doubt it, every one is too wrapped up in their own lives to care about the people who really lost something. The poem is showing how men of high social status dont care about the men they sent to war to get bits of themselves blown off, all the countries did it. Do you honestly think that every single man went their to play cricket and write poetry and have a jolly good time. No they didn't. The men went there because some lunatic decided to start a war and wouldnt just sort it out with the opposition's leader. instead it all had to be done with brute force which took longer and a lot more death. War should be sorted out by putting the two leaders of the opposing countries into a room until it is sorted...but no death of course. A view I'm sure a pacifist like Sassoon would agree with today if he were alive. And if you didnt know sassoon was a pacifist and opposed the war I suggest you go do your history and read his declaration about his view or the war.
Claire from United States
Comment 17 of 29, added on April 30th, 2006 at 9:29 AM.
I'm all up for love on this site...but the americans have to realise that a hell of a lot of you came from britain originally so shut up thinking we won the damn war coz you really didnt, and Charlotte is right russia did suffer the most, i mean standing up for themselves for 4 years on their own was amazing and extremely draining on their economy but its brave as hell, however Everyone lost something. The End. Poetry, poetry is good. lets talk about that rather than bicker about which country was better. Does it matter? is a satircal bitter poem by sassoon, it is NOT about bravery and all that other crap about it loosing a limp being worth it. you go loose one then you'll change your mind. sassoon should be looked at at face value and deeper value because you can get much out of the poem. it may sound all tra la la la but its really anything but. like a lot of sassoons poems he is often mocking someone or something in this case its the people who got to keep their leg or their sight and so on. sassoon was greatly opposed to the war after he'd been 'tricked' into going bt the thoughts of it being glorious. sassoon is stating that the men who lost something like a leg or died, died for nothing but the egos of the political classes as they found it very easy to throw away lives that werent theirs, especially if they were working class. the title does it matter? is being addressed to a politian or a person of higher rank than sassoon. sassoon wrote the poem under the title of does it matter? because it clearly does to him even if it doesnt to you or anyone else. you can either agree or disagree with sassoon but you do have to look at every aspect of the poem to have a good understanding of it.it might be a little hypocritical from what i was saying earlier(and i dont care) however you should all agree to stop arguing... its just poetry for godsake. go take your arguements to the forum.
Jeri
Comment 16 of 29, added on April 29th, 2006 at 12:04 PM.
No offence meant to the americans but this poem is satirical and sarcastic towards the civilians who put pressure on men to return to the front, and this is shown in another of sassoons poems;"survivors" a lot of Sassoons later war poetry was very satirical towards the civilians and command of the army. this came following his outburst against war that landed him in a mental hospital, which i believe to be Craiglockhart, or something alone those lines.
Basically this poem is NOT a glorification of losing a limb or sight etc, it IS a sarcastic poem towards civilians or Britain.
James from United Kingdom
Comment 15 of 29, added on April 23rd, 2006 at 7:36 AM.
First off guys stop bloody arguing.Both countries lost huge numbers of men in the First World War and it seems to me we were on the same side. The side which made the largest contribution of all, and Americans seem to love forgetting about was Russia. in world war 2, they fought alone for 4 years losing 25million men. If they hadn't held out there would have been no war for you to'save'. I thought we were discussing the poem and I think Chris its all too easy to say its worth losing a limb for your country. Sassoon was a soldier and officer who was trying to come to terms with complacent generals and civilians who unthinkingly offered thousands up to the slaughter without considering the horror, suffering and mental trauma that it inflicted. In the poem he makes a sarcastic jibe at the 'kindness' of those at home who are willing to be nice and thankful about the injuries and psychological suffering they went through. Unfortunately too many people today think complacently about the terror and horror thousands of men endured in a cause which rapidly became pointless and could have been ended by politicians long before it was. War is not glorious and never has been, its a bloody and horrific and eventually pointless way of solving political disputes. This is essentially what Sassoon is saying here. Owen's Dulce et decorum est is also a poem worth looking at in a similar vein. The old lie - how sweet and pleasant it is to die for your country.
Charlotte from United Kingdom
Comment 14 of 29, added on April 7th, 2006 at 10:55 AM.
I agree with what Chris said but I also think that if they don't want to be at war, but they have to be so they can protect their country. I don't think it was out of sarcasm because the was he tells the poem it makes it seems as if he care. But thats just me though. Holla!
CD from United States
Comment 13 of 29, added on April 6th, 2006 at 12:27 PM.
This poem is very well writen and please excuse trinah she does not know half of what she wrote nor understand it. This poem explains how brave the soldiers are to go into battle and save other peoples asses and Chris it right shut up no one wants to hear your stupid butts complain *not complaine trinah* just be thankful we saved you and didnt let you rot. Be thankful someone died or lost something important like sight or legs. have a good day!
Zoe from United States
Comment 12 of 29, added on April 6th, 2006 at 10:09 AM.
I agree /w what chris said!!
Mandy from United States
Comment 11 of 29, added on April 6th, 2006 at 12:40 PM.
After reading Chris' comment i dont really care, its just a poem, calm down.
Corey from United States
Comment 10 of 29, added on April 6th, 2006 at 10:54 AM.
I personly agree with Kid of Harlesden From the UK!
You speak the TRUTH, We (all Man-Kind) only Here of what was lost in a Physical sense. But what about the Psychological Problems that must be endure by the men and wemon Fighting for us, well for anyone. The ones that are hurt so much in their minds who end up in Psyc wards because of what the did. And chris from the US, I am an American and a I am and will always be a Patrait and I do firmly beleave in Hu-Ra! But you are intittled to give your oppinon but I must strongly disogree w/ you becase yes I'm sure that the UK complaines but we complaine just as much as the do and I do not here them complaining about us complaining much so I am all for the deavotion to your contry just don't condeam those who do the same for their contry.
So what I am saying is that I feel you should speak but not atack someone elses.
*Hearts* to all races cultures and region and or Political Status!
Trinah
Trinah from United States
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Hello, I'm from The Netherlands and we're reading poems on school about WO I. I'm really sorry if my english is not completely correct!
It's interesting to see the different opinions about 'Does it matter'. United Kingdom thinks it's sarcastic, United States takes it literal, as a patriotic poem.
I'm not sure, but I think Sassoon is displaying his bitterness. Many of Sassoon's poems are full of biting sarcasm directed at the people who still believed in the glorious side of war. He's also writing about the frustrations of the soldiers whose experiences in the trenches had made it impossible for them to lead normal lives again.
Especially the last line "And no one will worry a bit." displays Brooke's intention. He wants to protest against the civilians who are doing so easy about war. Yes, you should be glad you've survived war, but that's it?!? They just don't understand where the soldiers have gone through. They can't imagine. Everyone is living his own life.
Sietske from Netherlands