Page 2: Key Quotations and Analysis

Owen's "Exposure" employs powerful literary devices to convey the harsh realities of trench warfare in WW1. The poem's language and imagery emphasize the soldiers' suffering and the overwhelming power of nature.

Quote: "Our brains ache in the merciless iced east winds that knive us."

This line uses sibilance and personification to highlight the intensity of pain and the brutality of weather. The weather is consistently personified throughout the poem, characterizing it as the true enemy of the soldiers.

Quote: "Less deadly than the air that shudders black with snow"

This personification presents nature as more damaging and deadly than bullets, underscoring the harsh conditions in the trenches WW1.

Quote: "Pale flakes with fingering strength come feeling for our faces"

The consonance in this line reflects the ferocity of the weather, giving it an almost predatory quality.

Quote: "...But nothing happens"

This repeated phrase conveys the soldiers' boredom and hints at the pointlessness of war, a key theme in Owen's poetry.

Quote: "All their eyes are ice"

This metaphor describes the extreme effects of the weather and implies that soldiers have lost their humanity, approaching their breaking point.

Quote: "Dawn amassing in the East her melancholy army / Attacks once more in ranks on shivering ranks of grey"

This passage uses contradiction, color imagery, and military vocabulary to portray dawn, typically associated with hope, as hostile and bringing more suffering. The repetition of "ranks" reminds readers that the weather is the soldiers' primary enemy.

Quote: "Slowly our ghosts drag home"

This metaphor suggests that war has drained the life from the soldiers, emphasizing their proximity to death.

Page 3: Key Comparisons

"Exposure" can be compared to several other poems in the Power and Conflict anthology, particularly in its exploration of the power of nature versus the power of man and the effects and reality of conflict.

Poems that similarly explore the power of nature include:

1. "Storm on the Island"
2. "The Prelude"
3. "Tissue"

These poems, like "Exposure," examine how natural forces can overwhelm human efforts and structures.

Highlight: The line "The poignant misery of dawn begins to grow" in "Exposure" can be compared to similar themes of nature's impact in these poems.

Poems that deal with the effects and reality of conflict, much like "Exposure," include:

1. "War Photographer"
2. "Poppies"
3. "Kamikaze"
4. "Bayonet Charge"
5. "Remains"

These poems, along with "Exposure," provide insight into the harsh realities of war, its lasting impact on individuals, and the often unglamorous aspects of conflict.

Example: The themes of misery and boredom in war poetry are particularly evident in "Exposure" and can be compared to similar sentiments in poems like "Bayonet Charge" and "Remains."

By comparing "Exposure" to these poems, students can gain a deeper understanding of how different poets approach similar themes related to nature's power and the realities of conflict. This comparative analysis is crucial for GCSE level study of war poetry and helps to contextualize Owen's work within the broader canon of conflict literature.

Page 1: Summary and Context

Wilfred Owen's "Exposure" offers a stark portrayal of life in the trenches during WW1. The poem is written from a soldier's perspective, describing the misery and boredom experienced during a night in the trenches, with harsh weather conditions presented as the true enemy.

The title "Exposure" carries dual meanings. It refers to the soldiers' physical exposure to the elements and Owen's intent to expose the harsh, undignified aspects of conflict often omitted from glorifying propaganda.

Context: Wilfred Owen, a renowned WW1 poet, was known for his anti-war stance. He fought in the war twice, with "Exposure" reflecting his firsthand experience of the conflict's realities.

The poem's structure mirrors the repetitive nature of war:

1. Five-line stanzas reflect the ongoing boredom and misery of soldiers.
2. An ABBAC rhyme scheme is repeated, emphasizing the monotony of war.
3. The last line of each stanza creates an unsettling feel, mirroring the soldiers' constant state of anxiety.

Highlight: The first-person narrative and use of collective pronouns (we, us, our) underscore the shared suffering of soldiers and invite readers to empathize with their plight.

Key concepts explored in the poem include:

1. Misery in war
2. Loss of humanity
3. Pointlessness of war
4. Weather and boredom as enemies
5. Lasting effects of war

Quote: "Slowly, our ghosts drag home" and "we cringe in holes" illustrate the dehumanizing effects of war on soldiers.