203.97.107.200 (talk) spelling mistakes |
ClueBot NG (talk | contribs) m Reverting possible vandalism by 203.97.107.200 to version by 86.43.169.241. Questions, comments, complaints -> BRFA Thanks, ClueBot NG. (28488) (Bot) |
||
Line 28: | Line 28: | ||
"Poor Young Chap" this direct speech mimics the Majors as they pretend to care, to get the public on their side. |
"Poor Young Chap" this direct speech mimics the Majors as they pretend to care, to get the public on their side. |
||
"Scrap" The generals and Majors refer to the war as a game, or "scrap". |
"Scrap" The generals and Majors refer to the war as a game, or "scrap". |
||
The last two lines however show how the war isn't really a joke at all, and how young boys are being slaughtered for small bits of land that really make no difference. |
The last two lines however show how the war isn't really a joke at all, and how young boys are being slaughtered for small bits of land, that really make no difference. |
||
"Toddle" refers to the drunk Major, and "Die" is what Siegfried wants the major to do. |
"Toddle" refers to the drunk Major, and "Die" is what Siegfried wants the major to do. |
||
Siegfried Sassoon shows grest disgust towards military majors. He is apalled at the way the majors act while men are dying in the battlefield. The majors are fat, |
Siegfried Sassoon shows grest disgust towards military majors. He is apalled at the way the majors act while men are dying in the battlefield. The majors are fat, insesnitive, greedy, vain and very proud. |
||
[[Category:World War I poems]] |
[[Category:World War I poems]] |
||
[[Category:English poems]] |
[[Category:English poems]] |
Revision as of 01:24, 14 November 2010
Base Details is a war poem by the English war poet Siegfried Sassoon. In the poem Sassoon condemns what he saw as the incompetence and callous indifference to the soldiers at the front displayed by the staff officers, or "scarlet majors" of the British Army, who stayed at the Base "Guzzling and gulping in the best hotel" and sending "glum heroes up the line to death". Like so many of Sassoon's poems "Base Details" is bitterly sarcastic and utterly derisive of the comfortable establishment that supported the continuation of the war while showing little concern for the people who suffered its consequences. It took place during World War I in France around 1914-1918.
Theme
The theme is anger and bitterness. This is an attack on those who start wars and send their fellow men to their death. These army officers plan battles from safety of base, and are usually not involved in the fighting. The first two Quartiles are talking about the Majors, in a very sarcastic way, and the last Couplet talks about how the war isn't actually a joke it is very serious.
The poem highlights the vast gap between the experiences and attitudes of officers and frontline soldiers, using a very sarcastic tone..
Base Details
- If I were fierce, and bald, and short of breath,
- I’d live with scarlet Majors at the Base,
- And speed glum heroes up the line to death.
- You’d see me with my puffy petulant face,
- Guzzling and gulping in the best hotel,
- Reading the Roll of Honour. ‘Poor young chap,’
- I’d say—‘I used to know his father well;
- Yes, we’ve lost heavily in this last scrap.’
- And when the war is done and youth stone dead,
- I’d toddle safely home and die—in bed.
The title of the poem "Base Details"- Base possibly meaning a military base and Details could be a command assignment, someone or something lowly.
"fierce; and bald, and short of breath" this would be a sterotypical World War One officer. "Scarlet Majors" the colour scarlet representing the officer alcoholic way, angry demeanor, and the young blood they've shed.
"Glum heroes" refer to the uninspired, reluctant soldiers who are offered nothing but death. "Up the line" is the battlefield. "puffy petulant face" is the offices faces from the excessive eating and drinking. "Guzzling and gulping in the best hotel" the officeres eat and drink until their hearts delight.
"Poor Young Chap" this direct speech mimics the Majors as they pretend to care, to get the public on their side.
"Scrap" The generals and Majors refer to the war as a game, or "scrap".
The last two lines however show how the war isn't really a joke at all, and how young boys are being slaughtered for small bits of land, that really make no difference.
"Toddle" refers to the drunk Major, and "Die" is what Siegfried wants the major to do.
Siegfried Sassoon shows grest disgust towards military majors. He is apalled at the way the majors act while men are dying in the battlefield. The majors are fat, insesnitive, greedy, vain and very proud.