Upon the Way Imagination Interact With Historical Elements in Those Poems Essay

Open, View, and/or
Download this Document

Total Length: 910 words ( 3 double-spaced pages)

Total Sources: 4

Page 1 of 3

patterns in literary forms allows the opportunity for reading skills to grow. The subtle interplay between imagination and historical events, captured literally, provides the basis for fine art. The purpose of this essay is to examine certain patterns of human striving of, love, war and power in selected works of poetry. Margert Atwood's "Siren Song," the ballad "The Three Ravens," Wilford Owen's " Dulce Et Decorum Est," and Walt Whitman's "Song of Myself" will be used in this essay to highlight certain aspects of imagination and the impact and influence of relative environmental factors that contribute to literature and the general framework of artistic expression.

Owen's war poem " Dulce Et Decorum Est" is a vibrant description of a snapshot of a soldier's life during World War I. Attacked by chemical munitions, the characters of this poem are exposed to death in the most violent and unpleasant manner: "obscene as cancer, bitter is because of vile, incurable sores on innocent tongues." This is an attempt to indoctrinate the reader of this poem into a direct experience of warfare. Owen does not hide details in this work.

What can be interpreted in this poem is something of a different matter. It's hard to discern whether or not this poem celebrates or curses the life of a soldier. To die for one's country may be sweet depending on the particular path that soldier has taken in his life. A soldier's death in war as a potential to be interpreted as a complete waste as well. Owen does not seem to pick a side in this particular debate other than the fact that it is a vibrant and relative experience.

Stuck Writing Your "Upon the Way Imagination Interact With Historical Elements in Those Poems" Essay?

View All Our Example Upon the Way Imagination Interact With Historical Elements in Those Poems Essay

Have A Custom Example Essay Written

War, for all this negativity and violence, produces excellent art in this case. History and imagination land in a pattern to produce a beautiful and touching poem that celebrates the human experience in Owen's work.

Atwood's "Siren Song" describes warfare from a different perspective. The mystery behind humans sacrificing themselves as they are "to leap overboard in squadrons even though they see the beach's skulls" inspires the reader to look at warfare from a more objective standpoint than Owen's work. Atwood personifies a bird watching warfare from a distance in this poem and it casts a unique light upon the experience. Here, imagination is used in a different fashion. Assuming an enlightened viewpoint, not human, adds depth to this poem in a particular way that stimulates the imagination by transcending the human mind.

The bird reveals a secret at the end of this poem that sums up the artistic experience. As Atwood wrote" only you, only you can, you are unique," it appears she supports a relative approach to life. Relativity supports empathy and whether or….....

Show More ⇣

     Open the full completed essay and source list


OR

     Order a one-of-a-kind custom essay on this topic


sample essay writing service

Cite This Resource:

Latest APA Format (6th edition)

Copy Reference
"Upon The Way Imagination Interact With Historical Elements In Those Poems" (2011, July 25) Retrieved June 13, 2026, from
https://www.aceyourpaper.com/essays/way-imagination-interact-historical-elements-117908

Latest MLA Format (8th edition)

Copy Reference
"Upon The Way Imagination Interact With Historical Elements In Those Poems" 25 July 2011. Web.13 June. 2026. <
https://www.aceyourpaper.com/essays/way-imagination-interact-historical-elements-117908>

Latest Chicago Format (16th edition)

Copy Reference
"Upon The Way Imagination Interact With Historical Elements In Those Poems", 25 July 2011, Accessed.13 June. 2026,
https://www.aceyourpaper.com/essays/way-imagination-interact-historical-elements-117908
   

Open, View, and/or
Download this Document
order custom essay example