History of English Literature – From 1900 to 2000
Home Assignment
Question:1
How does Siegfried Sassoon explore the themes of glorification of war and harsh reality in the poem “The Hero”?
Answer
●Introduction
War is often presented as a noble and heroic act, where soldiers sacrifice their lives for their country with pride and courage. However, in “The Hero”, Siegfried Sassoon strongly challenges this romanticized image and reveals the painful truth hidden behind it. The poem opens with the ironic line, “Jack fell as he’d have wished,” immediately suggesting the false belief that a soldier desires a heroic death. Sassoon uses this line to highlight the delusion created by society to make war appear meaningful and honorable.
As the poem progresses, we see a grieving mother who tries to find comfort in the idea that her son died bravely. She declares, “We mothers are so proud / Of our dead soldiers,” yet her “bowed” face silently exposes her deep sorrow. In the final lines, “And no one seemed to care, / Except that lonely woman with white hair,” Sassoon emphasizes the cruel reality that society quickly forgets fallen soldiers, while the mother continues to suffer alone. Through irony, emotional contrast, and powerful imagery, Sassoon exposes the emotional cost of war and criticizes the false narrative of heroism.
●About the Author
Siegfried Sassoon was a major British poet and soldier during World War I. Born in 1886, he initially wrote patriotic poetry filled with idealism. However, his direct experiences in the trenches changed his perspective completely. Witnessing death, fear, and suffering led him to adopt a bitter and realistic tone in his writing.
Sassoon became known for his strong criticism of war propaganda and the way society glorified soldiers’ deaths. His poems reflect anger, disappointment, and sympathy for ordinary soldiers who were misled by patriotic speeches. Through his powerful anti-war poetry, Sassoon exposed the harsh realities that many people at home refused to see.
●Themes in “The Hero”
1. The Glorification of War
One of the central themes of the poem is the false glorification of war. Society portrays soldiers’ deaths as noble sacrifices made for the country. The officer comforts the mother with “gallant lies,” presenting Jack’s death as brave and honorable. The mother willingly accepts this version because it gives her emotional comfort. Her statement, “We mothers are so proud,” shows how patriotic values pressure families to see loss as honor rather than tragedy.
Sassoon uses irony to show that this pride is built on illusion. The neat rhyming couplets reflect the neat and polished way society presents war—orderly and controlled—while hiding the chaos and brutality behind it.
2. The Impact of Propaganda and Self-Deception
Another important theme is the influence of propaganda and self-deception. The Colonel “writes so nicely,” using soft and respectful language that hides the violent truth of Jack’s death. The officer’s hesitation—he “coughs and mumbles”—suggests that even he feels uncomfortable telling these lies.
However, the poem also shows that the mother does not entirely need the lie; she already wants to believe it. Her eyes “shone with gentle triumph,” indicating that she finds comfort in imagining her son as a hero. Sassoon suggests that society not only spreads propaganda but also willingly accepts it because the truth is too painful to face.
3. The Harsh Reality of War
In contrast to the glorified image, Sassoon presents the brutal truth of war through Jack’s perspective. He is described with harsh words like “cold-footed, useless swine,” reflecting fear, guilt, and panic among soldiers. Instead of dying heroically, Jack dies alone and in confusion.
The final lines — “And no one seemed to care, / Except that lonely woman with white hair” — reveal the emotional isolation caused by war. Society moves on quickly, but the mother continues to suffer. Her “white hair” symbolizes age, grief, and the heavy burden she must carry for the rest of her life. This powerful contrast exposes the gap between public pride and private sorrow.
4. The Personal Cost of War
Sassoon also explores the emotional and psychological cost of war. The mother’s “tired” voice and bowed head show that her pride cannot erase her pain. While she speaks of honor, her body language reveals defeat. The poem suggests that war destroys not only soldiers but also families left behind. The real victims of war are often those who suffer quietly at home.
●Conclusion
In conclusion, “The Hero” is a powerful anti-war poem in which Siegfried Sassoon criticizes the glorification of war and exposes its painful reality. Through irony, emotional imagery, and strong contrasts, he shows how propaganda creates comforting lies while hiding the suffering of soldiers and their families. The mother’s pride cannot hide her deep grief, and Jack’s death is far from heroic. Ultimately, the poem reminds readers that behind every “hero” is a tragic human story filled with loss and sorrow.
Reference:
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Class Assignment
Question:
Discuss the origin, development, and characteristics of Modernism in literature and other art forms.
Answer
●Introduction
Modernism was a powerful cultural and artistic movement that emerged in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries as a response to dramatic changes in society. Rapid industrialization, technological growth, urban expansion, and the devastating impact of World War I deeply influenced writers and artists. These changes created feelings of uncertainty, alienation, and disillusionment, which were reflected in modernist works. Modernism rejected traditional forms, values, and artistic conventions, seeking instead new ways of expression that could better capture the complexities of modern life.
In literature, Modernism moved away from straightforward storytelling and moral certainty. Writers experimented with fragmented structures, symbolism, and new narrative techniques such as stream of consciousness. Beyond Europe and America, similar movements developed. In Latin America, Modernismo emerged in the late nineteenth century and reached its height in the poetry of Rubén Darío. Across various art forms—visual arts, architecture, music, and dance—Modernism represented innovation, experimentation, and a break from the past.
●About the Authors and Key Figures
Although Modernism was a broad movement rather than the work of a single author, several important figures shaped its development in different fields.
In literature, writers like James Joyce
and Virginia Woolf pioneered the use of stream of consciousness and psychological depth in fiction. In Latin America, Rubén Darío became the leading voice of Modernismo, refining poetic language and symbolism.
In visual arts, Édouard Manet is often considered a key precursor of Modernism. He broke away from realistic representation and emphasized the flatness of the canvas. Later avant-garde movements such as Impressionism and Cubism expanded these ideas.
In architecture, pioneers like Ludwig Mies van der Rohe and Le Corbusier promoted functional design, simple geometric forms, and the use of steel and glass, leading to the International Style.
In music, composers such as Arnold Schoenberg and Igor Stravinsky revolutionized musical structure by experimenting with atonality, irregular rhythms, and dissonance.
In dance, innovators like Martha Graham rejected classical ballet traditions and developed expressive, emotionally intense movements that shaped modern dance.
●Origin, Development, and Characteristics of Modernism
Modernism originated as a reaction against traditional artistic and literary conventions. In literature, writers abandoned linear plots and clear moral lessons. Instead, they explored inner consciousness, subjectivity, and fragmented experiences. The stream of consciousness technique allowed readers to enter the minds of characters directly, reflecting the complexity of human thought.
In visual arts, Modernism rejected detailed realism and traditional perspective. Artists focused on color, line, and form, emphasizing the physical qualities of the artwork itself. Movements such as Cubism and Expressionism pushed artistic boundaries even further.
Architecture underwent a major transformation during the modernist period. Architects shifted from decorative, historical styles to simple, functional designs. Steel-frame construction and curtain walls enabled the creation of glass skyscrapers and large-scale housing projects. The International Style emphasized clean lines, geometric shapes, and minimal ornamentation.
In music, composers experimented with breaking traditional tonal systems. Schoenberg introduced the 12-tone technique, while Stravinsky used complex rhythms and bold dissonance to reflect the chaos of modern life. These musical innovations paralleled the experimentation seen in literature and art.
Modern dance also reflected this spirit of change. Dancers abandoned strict ballet techniques and focused on natural movement, emotional expression, and contemporary themes. Movements became freer, often involving floor work and unconventional body shapes.
By the late twentieth century, a reaction to Modernism gave rise to Postmodernism, which reintroduced decoration in architecture and embraced irony and playful storytelling in literature.
●Conclusion
In conclusion, Modernism was a revolutionary movement that transformed literature, art, architecture, music, and dance. Emerging during a time of rapid social and political change, it rejected traditional forms and embraced experimentation and innovation. Through new techniques and bold ideas, modernist artists sought to represent the complexities and uncertainties of modern life. Although later challenged by Postmodernism, Modernism remains one of the most influential cultural movements of the twentieth century, shaping the direction of creative expression across the world.
●Reference:
🌐Britannica. Modernism (Arts & Culture). Available at:
》https://www.britannica.com/art/Modernism-art�
Britannica. Modernist Literature. Available at:
》https://www.britannica.com/topic/Modernist-literature�
Britannica. Modernismo (Latin American Art). Available at:
》https://www.britannica.com/art/Modernismo-Latin-American-art�
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Essay
Question:
Discuss how Ivor Gurney presents guilt, moral conflict, and the futility of war in the poem “The Target.”
Answer:
●Introduction
War is often described as an act of bravery and patriotism, but for the individual soldier, it can become a source of deep emotional and moral suffering. In “The Target”, Ivor Gurney presents a powerful dramatic monologue in which a soldier reflects on killing an enemy in battle. The poem opens with the soldier’s attempt to justify his action: “’Twas him or me.” This simple statement reflects the harsh reality of war, where survival depends on destroying another life. Yet, as the poem unfolds, it becomes clear that this justification cannot silence his troubled conscience.
The soldier insists, “Couldn’t be helped, and none can blame / Me, for you would do the same,” but these words reveal more desperation than confidence. His thoughts move from self-defense to guilt, from his own survival to the suffering of mothers, and finally to the silence of God. In the closing lines, he bitterly declares, “This is a bloody mess indeed,” capturing both the physical horror and the moral confusion of war. Through this emotional journey, Gurney explores the psychological burden carried by soldiers long after the battlefield moment has passed.
●About the Author
Ivor Gurney (1890–1937) was an English poet and composer who served as a soldier during World War I. His poetry reflects his personal experiences in the trenches and the deep emotional impact of war. Unlike patriotic war poetry that glorifies battle, Gurney’s work often focuses on the psychological trauma, loneliness, and moral uncertainty faced by soldiers.
Gurney suffered greatly from mental health struggles after the war, and his poetry reveals his sensitivity to human suffering. His works are known for their honesty, emotional depth, and strong anti-war tone. In “The Target”, Gurney gives voice to a soldier’s inner turmoil, showing the human cost of violence beyond physical wounds.
●Guilt, Moral Conflict, and Futility of War in “The Target”
1. The Guilt of Killing
The central focus of the poem is the soldier’s guilt after killing an enemy. Although he initially defends himself by saying, “’Twas him or me,” the repetition of justification suggests that he is trying to convince himself rather than others. He claims that no one can blame him, yet his conscience continues to question his action.
His guilt deepens when he imagines that the man he killed might have been “the only son” of another mother. This realization makes the act personal and painful. The enemy is no longer a faceless target but a loved human being. The soldier even imagines meeting him in the afterlife and wonders whether he will dare to “ask his pardon, if I durst.” This shows his strong desire for forgiveness and peace, but also his fear that forgiveness may not come.
2. Moral Conflict and the Silence of God
As his thoughts grow darker, the soldier begins to question moral authority itself. He turns toward God for reassurance but finds none:
“God keeps still, and does not say
A word of guidance anyway.”
These lines reflect his frustration and spiritual crisis. In a situation where killing is both necessary and morally troubling, he seeks divine guidance but is met with silence. This absence of divine response intensifies his sense of isolation and confusion. He feels abandoned in a world where right and wrong are no longer clear.
The poem suggests that war creates moral uncertainty. Soldiers are trained to kill, yet they must live with the emotional consequences. The lack of clear moral answers leaves the soldier trapped between duty and conscience.
3. The Futility and Chaos of War
In the final stanza, the soldier describes war as “a tangle,” symbolizing confusion and disorder. Thoughts and emotions become mixed together, and the human mind struggles to cope. He explains how a man in such circumstances may “rave, or shout, or sob,” showing the psychological breakdown caused by war.
The poem ends with the blunt and powerful statement:
“This is a bloody mess indeed.”
This line has both literal and symbolic meaning. Literally, war is filled with bloodshed and violence. Symbolically, it is a moral and emotional mess, full of unanswered questions and broken lives. There is no glory, no heroism—only destruction and suffering.
●Conclusion
In conclusion, “The Target” presents a deeply moving portrayal of a soldier’s inner struggle after killing in war. Through lines such as “’Twas him or me” and “God keeps still,” Ivor Gurney highlights guilt, moral conflict, and spiritual doubt. The poem reveals that war does not end with survival; it continues within the mind and conscience of the soldier. By ending with “This is a bloody mess indeed,” Gurney powerfully emphasizes the futility and tragic consequences of war. Ultimately, the poem stands as a strong anti-war statement, showing that even justified killing leaves lasting emotional scars.
Reference:
》 https://www.poemist.com/ivor-gurney/the-target� poemist.com
📖 Poem meaning & full text — helps explain guilt and moral conflict in war �
》 https://www.best-poems.net/ivor-gurney/target.html� best-poems.net
》 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gWdFo03yfS8� � YouTube
