Birdsong and Wilfred Owen - A Lethal Combination

hey,

i'm currently doing my coursework (a2) on "compare man's inhumanity to man in birdsong and the poems of wilfred owen". I've got quite a few good ideas (at least i think they are) and i've chosen my poems i want to compare but i would appreciate a fresh perspective on it. Anyone else doing a similar title? Or just knowledgeable about the books in question who could give some interesting ideas?

Would be greatly appreciated,

cheers

rob

Reply 1

Cambyses

I have to admit I haven't read Birdsong, but I am a big Wilfred Owen fan and did war poetry for my A2 exam last year. I would personally, on the Owen side, look at 'S.I.W.', which illustrates in a brutal and bitter style the consequences of man's attitudes on other men:
'He'd seen men shoot their hands, on night patrol.
Their people never knew. Yet they were vile.
'Death sooner than dishonour, that's the style!'
So Father said.'
It also brings in the question of inhumanity from family and friends' sides rather than just those who were involved in the military official. The pressure from civilians that soldiers felt and the inhuman expectations put on them.
'Disabled' might be an interesting one to look at as well. Maybe think about the irony that the soldier is now considered almost inhuman, after the inhuman sufferings he has been forced to go through.

Reply 2

Rob McK

yeh i'm definitely looking at disabled, the dead beat, anthem for doomed youth and possibly mental cases - thanks for the s.i.w. tip!

cheers

rob

Reply 3

srslysweets

I did Birdsong and a selection of Wilfred Owen's poems for my A2 coursework too. My title was how is suffering presented in both.

Any questions, ask away. :smile:

Reply 4

**Hannah**

Hey im currently struggeling to write my english coursework. Mine too is also on 'Birdsong' and 'Regeneration' by Pat Barker. The title is: In Birdsong and Regeneration, the authors focus in on the agonys of the first world war. Do you agree or disagree? I though this was a bit too obvious to write anything for. But I am going to argue that it isnt just about this and includes many other themes etc. If anyone has any idea or any website to recommend it would be brilliant and greatly appreciated! Thank you!!! :smile:

Reply 5

danielrsmith2104

hmmm...i'm doing an exam on these type of texts. Man's inhumanity to man sounds good...reminds me of the bit in birdsong where the 19 year old is brought into hospital when stephen's there. Burned head to to and blind from the gas, he screams ...rather a lot, and stephen prays that the boy will die. Irony is in trying to save him the doctors are arguably being inhumane. however, i would say the novel is about the men almost being forced to be inhumane - the ending is absolutely fantastic (i won't spoil it for anyone) but it does show that without the war men are perfectly amicable to one another.

Reply 6

Ywiss

Bleeeeeeeeegh Birdsong makes me want to puke

But Wilfie is lovely, especially Anthem for Doomed Youth and Spring Offensive. Just so striking and haunting.