Will it be so again
Biographical information: C Day Lewis
Born in Ireland 1904 and moved to England in 1906
His poetry articulated unease at the political, economic and social problems of the 1930s,
especially with regard to the disastrous effects of war
Published in 1943, during WW2 and shortly after the Great Depression; both events had a
major impact on the globe
The UK was especially impacted by these events as they relied on their exports which other
countries could not afford at that time, therefore there were many job losses.
It was published at an extremely difficult time for people in Britain as the country was still
recovering from the after-effects of WW1.
Cecil Day-Lewis was England’s Poet Laureate from 1968 until his death in 1972
Meaning and Message
Criticises war
War leads to temporary war
Criticises politicians and their greed for power
We must hold politicians accountable for their actions
Structure
Regular structure
Emphasises the pattern of war
5 stanzas of 5 lines each
Elegy as it honours the dead
Positions soldiers who lose their lives over war as victims
Makes use of refrain
1st and last line of each stanza
Emphasises the progression of thought and questioning
Repeatedly asking it from a slightly different angle
Repetition throughout the poem
Creates a regular rhythm
Mimics military marches
Repeated pattern of war
Rigid structure
Further creates a controlled atmosphere
Reflects the cycle of war, loss and futility as nothing changes
Reflects the innate pattern of cruelty of humans
Rhyme Scheme
ABABA CDCDC AEAEA FGFGF AHAHA
Tone:
Rage
Grief
Discontent
Disillusionment
, Bitter
Critical
Angry
Hostile
Pessimistic
Imagery
Rhetorical questions draw the reader into the discussion, first by addressing them directly
and second by asking the reader to consider the answers to the questions, essentially
encouraging them to take action in ensuring war does not happen again
Caesurae emphasises how war disrupts/ destroys peace; and the effects of war destroy
people’s lives/ families who are left to continue without their loved ones who have died
Biographical information: C Day Lewis
Born in Ireland 1904 and moved to England in 1906
His poetry articulated unease at the political, economic and social problems of the 1930s,
especially with regard to the disastrous effects of war
Published in 1943, during WW2 and shortly after the Great Depression; both events had a
major impact on the globe
The UK was especially impacted by these events as they relied on their exports which other
countries could not afford at that time, therefore there were many job losses.
It was published at an extremely difficult time for people in Britain as the country was still
recovering from the after-effects of WW1.
Cecil Day-Lewis was England’s Poet Laureate from 1968 until his death in 1972
Meaning and Message
Criticises war
War leads to temporary war
Criticises politicians and their greed for power
We must hold politicians accountable for their actions
Structure
Regular structure
Emphasises the pattern of war
5 stanzas of 5 lines each
Elegy as it honours the dead
Positions soldiers who lose their lives over war as victims
Makes use of refrain
1st and last line of each stanza
Emphasises the progression of thought and questioning
Repeatedly asking it from a slightly different angle
Repetition throughout the poem
Creates a regular rhythm
Mimics military marches
Repeated pattern of war
Rigid structure
Further creates a controlled atmosphere
Reflects the cycle of war, loss and futility as nothing changes
Reflects the innate pattern of cruelty of humans
Rhyme Scheme
ABABA CDCDC AEAEA FGFGF AHAHA
Tone:
Rage
Grief
Discontent
Disillusionment
, Bitter
Critical
Angry
Hostile
Pessimistic
Imagery
Rhetorical questions draw the reader into the discussion, first by addressing them directly
and second by asking the reader to consider the answers to the questions, essentially
encouraging them to take action in ensuring war does not happen again
Caesurae emphasises how war disrupts/ destroys peace; and the effects of war destroy
people’s lives/ families who are left to continue without their loved ones who have died
