The Pity of War Poetry in Wilfred Owenś Poetry

Abstract

   Before World War I, being a soldier in Britain was often seen as a last resort—a fate many considered little better than prison, looked down on by both working and middle-class families. This research explores how soldiers fell so far in public regard by the early 20th century, and how that changed when the horrors of the Great War (1914–1918) shattered old illusions.

Amid that tragedy, a powerful voice emerged: Wilfred Owen (1893–1918), a soldier-poet who rejected the myth of "glorious" war. Instead, he wrote with raw honesty about its pity, pain, and the deep anger felt by those on the front lines. Soldiers weren’t heroes in his eyes—they were ordinary men deserving of compassion, not scorn.

This study focuses on Owen’s moving work, especially two poems that cut through wartime propaganda: Dulce et Decorum est and Insensibility. We’ll explore: How war poetry evolved in the 20th century, challenging ideas like "honor" and exposing the brutal reality of injury and loss. Owen’s life and craft—why he became one of the most important voices of World War I. Close readings of his poems, revealing how they humanize soldiers and lay bare the true cost of conflict. Ultimately, Owen’s legacy reminds us that behind every war statistic is a person worth remembering—not as a symbol, but as someone who suffered, felt, and deserved our empathy.