Anthem for Doomed Youth

The poem, “Anthem for Doomed Youth” was written in 1917 when Owen was recovering from shell-shock in a hospital. Overall, the poem brings light to the dark malicious side of war. Owen uses direct personal experience to reveal the actuality of the war. The use of a metaphor by Owen depicts war to be the same as the mass slaughtering of animals or butchery, “What passing-bells for these who die as cattle?” (line 1). This line implies that the soldier’s death means nothing and how they will never experience a true funeral. The idea of not having a proper burial is exemplified in various areas of the poem, “Nor any voice of mourning save the choirs” (line 6). To further the experience for the reader, Owen incorporates personification, “The shrill, demented choirs of wailing shells” (line 7). Toward the end of the poem there is a focus on the war impacting all. The reflection of the candle in their eyes will deem them doomed to the same fortune as the soldiers at war, “Not in the hands of boys, but in their eyes” (line 10). These young boys are no longer innocent, but corrupted by their fate of war. The poem exemplifies the harsh experience men endure during times of war.