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Questions and Answers
What aspect of war does Owen primarily focus on at the beginning of the poem?
What aspect of war does Owen primarily focus on at the beginning of the poem?
Owen uses a chaotic structure to reflect the calmness of war.
Owen uses a chaotic structure to reflect the calmness of war.
False
What literary device does Owen employ to create an atmosphere of unease in the poem?
What literary device does Owen employ to create an atmosphere of unease in the poem?
pararhyme
The rhyme scheme in Owen's poem emphasizes the _________ of war.
The rhyme scheme in Owen's poem emphasizes the _________ of war.
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Match the elements to their significance in Owen's poem:
Match the elements to their significance in Owen's poem:
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What does the imagery of 'Pale flakes' and 'snow-dazed' suggest about the soldiers' experience?
What does the imagery of 'Pale flakes' and 'snow-dazed' suggest about the soldiers' experience?
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The poem suggests that the soldiers are hopeful about their situation.
The poem suggests that the soldiers are hopeful about their situation.
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What does the phrase 'the burying-party, picks and shovels in their shaking grasp' imply about the soldiers?
What does the phrase 'the burying-party, picks and shovels in their shaking grasp' imply about the soldiers?
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The poem opens with the line 'our brains ache in the ________ iced winds.'
The poem opens with the line 'our brains ache in the ________ iced winds.'
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Match the lines to their themes:
Match the lines to their themes:
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What literary device is used to create a rushed, panicked pace in the poem?
What literary device is used to create a rushed, panicked pace in the poem?
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The speaker is confident about their motivation to fight.
The speaker is confident about their motivation to fight.
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What natural element is personified as being sinister in the poem?
What natural element is personified as being sinister in the poem?
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The phrase 'mad gusts tugging on the wire' evokes a sense of ______.
The phrase 'mad gusts tugging on the wire' evokes a sense of ______.
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Match the terms from the poem with their descriptions:
Match the terms from the poem with their descriptions:
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What does the imagery of nature symbolize in the poem?
What does the imagery of nature symbolize in the poem?
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The soldiers feel a strong sense of recognition from those at home.
The soldiers feel a strong sense of recognition from those at home.
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What literary device does Owen use to describe the wind?
What literary device does Owen use to describe the wind?
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The phrase 'this frost will fasten on this ______ and us' illustrates soldiers being seen as indistinguishable from __________.
The phrase 'this frost will fasten on this ______ and us' illustrates soldiers being seen as indistinguishable from __________.
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Match the following descriptions with their themes:
Match the following descriptions with their themes:
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Study Notes
AQA English GCSE Poetry: Power and Conflict - Exposure by Wilfred Owen
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Brief Summary: The poem describes the terrifying experience of a soldier in the trenches during World War I, showcasing the trauma soldiers faced.
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Synopsis:
- Soldiers wait in a trench, fearful of attack.
- The anticipation of attack is relentless and constant.
- Natural elements (weather) dominate and are a source of suffering and misery.
- They hear the sounds of the conflict in the background.
- The setting and context portray the relentless and brutal nature of war, showing the horror of the experience for soldiers.
- The passing of time is marked by snow changing into signs of spring.
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Context:
- Wilfred Owen (1893-1918) was a soldier during World War I.
- His inspiration included John Keats and Siegfried Sassoon.
- He is known for his realistic portrayal of the horrors of war.
- The poem was written in 1917, reflecting his experiences in the trenches of WWI.
- Owen was disillusioned with his role as a soldier and suffered from shellshock.
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Structure:
- Cyclical structure, repeated imagery and anaphora contribute to the repetition of feeling.
- The cyclical structure mirrors the experience of war.
- The poem consists of stanzas, which build through the different sensory experiences.
- The repeated phrase "but nothing happens" emphasises the monotony and futility of trench warfare.
- Use of natural imagery and rhetorical questions.
- Imagery of nature is cyclical and repetitive mirroring the continuous nature of war and the relentless feelings of soldiers.
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Language:
- Natural imagery (cold, wind, snow) creates a sense of bleakness and despair.
- Rhetorical questions highlight soldiers' anxieties and disillusionment.
- Repetition of phrases emphasizes the relentless nature of the fighting and suffering experienced.
- Use of sibilance (repetitious S sounds): The sound creates an eerie and unsettling atmosphere reflecting the gunfire.
- Personification of nature: Nature is personified as a powerful and threatening adversary.
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Key Themes:
- The futility of war, reflecting the sense of pointless suffering.
- The psychological impact of war and the trauma experienced by soldiers.
- The disillusionment of soldiers with the war effort.
- The contrast between nature's beauty and the brutality of war.
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Form:
- Consistent rhyme scheme emphasises the monotony of war.
- Owen uses pararhymes creating an underlying atmosphere of unease.
- Use of ellipses to highlight the waiting and boredom.
- Owen's use of cyclical structure and anaphora.
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Comparisons: This section compares "Exposure" with other poems, specifically The Prelude by William Wordsworth and The Charge of the Light Brigade by Alfred, Lord Tennyson, highlighting similarities and differences in their themes and styles.
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Imagery, Symbolism, and Tone: Details the role of nature, imagery, symbolism, and tone in the poem.
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Overall Impression: Provides an overall summary about the poem and the impressions it might leave the reader with.
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Techniques: Discusses the techniques used by Owen in the poem that make it an effective piece of literature.
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Description
Test your understanding of Wilfred Owen's powerful poem 'Exposure'. This quiz explores the themes, context, and emotional impact of the poem, which vividly depicts the grim realities faced by soldiers in World War I. Dive into the analysis of natural elements and the brutal warfare depicted in Owen's writing.