Poems: The Dead-Beat by Wilfred Owen
The Dead-Beat is a poem by Wilfred Owen, a British soldier and poet who wrote during World War I. The poem is a reflection on the horrors of war and the futility of death. It follows a soldier who is marching to the front lines, and his thoughts on the futility of his own death. He reflects on the fact that he will soon be dead, and that his death will be meaningless and forgotten. He also reflects on the fact that he will never be able to experience the joys of life again, and that his death will be a waste. The poem ends with the soldier accepting his fate, and marching on to the front lines.
By Wilfred Owen · First published 1918 · Genre: Poetry, War Literature, Modernism · 185 words
First lines
He dropped, -- more sullenly than wearily, Lay stupid like a cod, heavy like meat, And none of us could kick him to his feet; Just blinked at my revolver, blearily; -- Didn't appear to know a war was on, Or see the blasted trench at which he stared. "I'll do 'em in," he whined, "If this hand's spared, I'll murder them, I will."
A low voice said, "It's Blighty, p'raps, he sees; his pluck's all gone, Dreaming of all the valiant, that AREN'T dead: Bold uncles, smiling ministerially; Maybe his brave young wife, getting her fun In some new home, improved materially. It's not these stiffs have crazed him; nor the Hun."
What this Textopian page supports
Poems: The Dead-Beat is listed on Textopian as a poem by Wilfred Owen, dated 1918 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Poem
- Author: Wilfred Owen
- Date: 1918 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Poetry, War Literature, Modernism, Romanticism
- Length: 185 words
- Structure: 1 section, 4 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)
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Similar titles
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Genres
- Poetry — The title of the book is 'Poems: The Dead-Beat' and is written by Wilfred Owen, a renowned poet.
- War Literature — Wilfred Owen was a soldier in World War I and his poems often reflect his experiences in the war.
- Modernism — Wilfred Owen's writing style is often associated with modernism, which is characterized by a rejection of traditional forms and a focus on the individual's experience.
- Romanticism — Wilfred Owen's poetry often contains romantic themes, such as the beauty of nature and the power of the imagination.
Tags
1914-1918 · 20th century · English poetry · Poetry · War poetry · World War · blasted · blearily · blighty · blinked · bold · dropped