123 School Work

survivors Siegrfied Sassoon

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  Survivors
  
  In Sassoon's poem Survivors there are many devices used which can be characterised as 'typical Sassoon'. These extend from the ironic choice of title, use of alliteration to paint images in the minds eye of the reader, and the extension of metaphors, in this case that of a child. The tone of the poem is extremely bitter, as is shown in ' dreams drip with murder', but also more sombre than many of the same period. His blunt and sarcastic manner remain throughout the poem, but are softened by his use of enjambement and references to children, which by the end of the poem, he destroys, displaying his pure anger in the 'eyes that hate you'. Although disguised by the metaphor, the horrific degeneration of 'men to children, through 'murder and haunting ghosts' reaches a powerful climax in the final couplet, bitter and completely Sassoon.
  
  Sassoon wrote Survivors in October 1917 during his stay at Craiglockgheart Therefore the 'typical' features of Sassoon's writing at this time will be very different from his earlier works. This is simply because he, like Owen, experienced life on the front line, and as a result became very disillusioned in his beliefs of patriotism and honour in War. Consequently this is reflected in his later writing, and he uses a large range of devices to convey his beliefs to his audience.
  
  The poets choice of title is essential in understanding the tone of the rest of the poem, however it is not until one has read the poem that the ironic use of 'survivors' is revealed. As with many of his war time poems, the use of an ironic title seen in The Kiss and The Hero...