Wilfred Owen’s “Dulce et Decorum Est†and E. E Cummings’, “next to of course god america i†are poems that critique patriotic propaganda. Both poems use words and images to effectively depict the influence that patriotic propaganda has on war. “Dulce et Decorum Est†uses descriptive words to create realistic images of the horrors soldiers are faced with during combat, whereas “next to of course god america i†uses sarcasm to inform readers that the abuse of propaganda can be used to manipulate others. The attitudes they convey are quite similar; both suggest that propaganda is a lie; it is not sweet and fitting to die for one’s country. It is ingrained in soldier’s minds that to die for ones country is a great and honourable sacrifice. However, in the poem Dulce et Decorum Est the speaker uses powerful words and images to portray that patriotic propaganda is an “old lie†(Owen 27). In the first stanza, the speaker explains the effects that war has on young soldiers: “Bent double, like old beggars under sacks/ Knock- Kneed, coughing like hags, we cursed through sludge†(Owen 1-2). Propaganda portrays soldiers as being young heroes, those who are strong, healthy and vigorous. However, based on the evidence expressed in the previous quotation soldiers are not all what propaganda portrays them to be. The speaker chooses words such as “bent double, like old baggers†and “knock-kneed†(Owens 1-2) to expose the discomfort and effects that war has on young soldiers. The soldiers are discreetly compared to crippled old men which emphasizes just how badly war has affected their bodies, stripping them of their health, making them weak and helpless like “old beggars†(Owen 1). Furthermore, the speaker expresses his experience as a sold... ...upport of patriotic propaganda. The speaker may be worried because of the fear of what he is saying will cause him to being labelled as unpatriotic. Cumming could have incorporated this line into the poem to enforce personal beliefs and protect national pride. Both poems would agree that patriotic propaganda is a method used to alter nation’s values and ideas. Although both poems differ in the portrayal of the patriotic message they both criticize the affects of propaganda. For those who believe that it is sweet and fitting to die for one’s country, any man who has experienced war first hand would admit that patriotic propaganda is a lie. It would be interesting to further analyze the poems and consider how historical usage of propaganda and modern media by politicians compare, as well as to analyse if propaganda today is still using and abusing patriotism.
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12/12/2019 0 Comments Reason of study Personal Statement Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 wordsReason of study - Personal Statement Example
Tuition and salaries were paid in cash. While working in the human resources department, I had to do everything handwritten and my first priority was to shift toward more productive methods so that the company could grow. I created methods for computerizing the operations and helped update the company to where it was digitized and, therefore, more up-to-date. I was on a mission for finding effective solutions because at the rate the company was going, there was no growth and no incentive for teachers to stay employed there. I faced a lot of resistance from staff members but after a year, I finally was able to achieve credibility which allowed me to implement many other systems that became helpful. I am most interested in MCPHS because of personal reasons having a brother who was born being extremely weak. I was in high school and he seemed to be slipping away from us every day. After finally being diagnosed, he had numerous surgeries and the doctors were telling our family each different theories of treatment. The doctors did not collaborate on his diagnosis and my brother’s health continued to fail. I know he was not the only victim of poor management and communication. There was no steady system in my country for hospitals and health care. Though doctors were qualified, care lacked. My parents traveled to the United States for him to receive treatment and were told he needed constant care. Knowing how my brother suffered, I also volunteered throughout the last semester of my fourth year at the children’s cancer ward in Prince Sultan Center. When I graduated from college and started to work, that was when I started to further understand the problems in management departments that focus on policy and regulation. It was then that I decided to specialize in the field of Regulatory Affairs and Health Policy (RAHP ). It is exactly what I am looking for in order to help others find what they need for health care purposes. |