Spring Offensive Poem Analysis

Spring Offensive Poem Analysis

Spring offensive is a critically acclaimed poem written by Wilfred Owen. The poem is considered a work of exemplary artistry on disparate, though intricately connected levels of comprehension. Spring offensive is a first-hand account of an April 1917 military mission: its prelude, repercussions, and officers involved in it. The poem is divided into seven verses, each depicting a different phase of the “offensive.” Even though Owen is also in the military mission, Spring Offensive largely centers on the experience rather than Owen, which makes the poem more objective. The poem is Owen’s last completed literature piece. Experts argue that it is different from his previous works, with some describing it as a masterpiece. Through the poem, Spring Offensive, Owen shines the light on different issues regarding war, reflecting on the damage and destruction it causes.

Before the war, there is often a period of joy and calmness, and upon its onset, hatred and fear take center stage. The title “Spring Offensive” is a juxtaposition; it has two different meanings since it is derived from two different words with contrasting meanings. Spring is a season commonly associated with calm and happiness, and the term offensive is characterized by aggressiveness, hatred, and fear. Thus, “spring offensive” is considered an unnatural offense of war against nature. This is reflected in the poem as it begins in a natural tone, suggesting stillness, the calm before the storm. “Halted against the shade of the last hill, they fed, and, lying easy, were at ease And, finding comfortable chests and knees Carelessly slept…” However, the calm mood changes in the end and is replaced by fear and hatred, and to some participants, regret.

“The few who rushed in the body to enter hell,
And there out-fiending all its fiends and flames
With superhuman inhumanities,
Long-famous glories, immemorial shames—
And crawling slowly back, have by degrees
Regained cool peaceful air in wonder—
Why speak they not of comrades that went under?

Moreover, Owen awakens the ability of war to cause loss of humanity among the participants in the last verse. “The few who rushed in the body to enter hell, and there out-fiending all its fiends and flames.” Here, Owen uses the term “hell” metaphorically to describe the ongoing fierce fight between the enemies, which contravenes our understanding of the human side. Besides, this hell can also be referring to the enemy’s hands, or it can also be insinuating the figurative hell depicted in religious books. Here, Owen could be using the word “hell” to indicate the problem that the soldiers were running towards. Also, the use of “fiending and flames” indicates that the people involved in the battle have now lost their humanity, evolving into demons capable of anything inhuman.

Further, the use of the oxymoron “superhuman inhumanities” in the same verse imply that their battle endeavors are invigorating and, at the same time, beyond human abilities. In other words, these are exploits that no ordinary human can engage in. Unsurprisingly, the surviving soldiers are massively affected at the end of the poem. The irreparable damage leaves these surviving participants unable to revert to their old “human” selfs given what they did and witnessed. Such exploits can be linked to the mental cases associated with the disciplined forces (even in the current society) where their behaviors are perceived to lean more on the animal side than humans. War has the power to negatively influence a participant’s behavior, consequently making them lose a touch of their humanity.

Spring Offensive highlights the plight and the strong bond that exists between the soldiers in war (comrades-in-arms), also known as camaraderie. This issue features throughout the poem. In the beginning, Owen writes,

“Halted against the shade of the last hill,
They fed, and, lying easy, were at ease
And, finding comfortable chests and knees
Carelessly slept.”

This suggests that the soldiers trusted each other enough not to care where or whom they slept on as long as they were together. Additionally, the author shows that amid war, fear, and hatred, there can still be room for love and caring for one another. The bond that develops between these men is further underlined at the end of the poem. The few who remain are grief-stricken that they are unable to talk about their lost friends.

“Regained cool peaceful air in wonder—
Why speak they not of comrades that went under?”

Further, the poem brings to the audiences’ attention the fear that war induces on those at the forefront. Owen illustrates that, despite their boldness, soldiers can be fearful too. Just like any human, they are afraid of death too. This is evident in the below extract.

“Like the injected drug for their bones’ pains,
Sharp on their souls hung the imminent line of grass, Fearfully flashed the sky’s mysterious glass.”    

The author utilizes the sibilance “sharp on their souls” that consequently creates an angry and horrifying image on the readers’ minds. Not only does it successfully create this image, but the sibilance also underlines the challenges faced by those at the frontline during the war. The statement also helps the audience comprehend the nature of the journey lying ahead of the soldiers. Besides, it makes us, the audience, better understand the magnitude of the last hill that the men had to face, and the fear it instilled into them. As a surprise, the hill brings us into contact with the human nature of the soldiers. The word “imminent” suggests the end of the road for the men in uniform. This means that death is on the horizon, and there is little they can do to avoid this fate. Additionally, the alliteration “fearfully flashed” shows the fear felt by the soldiers as the thought of inevitable death sinks deep into their minds.

Conclusion

Wilfred Owen’s Spring Offensive is an essential resource for learning about important aspects of a poem, and poetry in general. The poem helps poetry enthusiasts understand the different poetry styles and other aspects of a poem, such as aim, meaning, and structure. Through the work, the audience can learn about war and the detrimental effects it can have on the people involved. Besides, the poem communicates the feelings Owen had towards his comrades-in-war. Although war brings with it destruction, it also gives rise to heroes like Owen and his compatriots. Despite this, it is the damages, destruction, and pity that comes with the war which dominates this literature work. These aspects run throughout the Spring Offensive poem. Unlike the other aspects, it is the pity of war that posses the greatest irony – It is too deep to be spoken about.