Use Dictionaries to Match the Following Words to Their Definitions Opposite

Year 9 Homework Task 2

Use dictionaries to match the following words to their definitions opposite: Word Definition Orison Cloth laid on a coffin Mockeries High-pitched noise Bugles Paleness Pallor A prayer Hasty Brass instrument used to give military signals Shrill Hurried Pall Ceremonies which are insulting

Read the poem:

Anthem for Doomed Youth What passing-bells for these who die as cattle? Only the monstrous anger of the guns. Only the stuttering rifles' rapid rattle Can patter out their hasty orisons. No mockeries now for them; no prayers nor bells; Nor any voice of mourning save the choirs, The shrill, demented choirs of wailing shells; And bugles calling for them from sad shires. What candles may be held to speed them all? Not in the hands of boys, but in their eyes Shall shine the holy glimmers of good-byes. The pallor of girls' brows shall be their pall; Their flowers the tenderness of patient minds, And each slow dusk a drawing-down of blinds.

Poem reading

An anthem is usually a hymn to praise or celebrate. How is Owen using the word to criticise the war? How are the youths ‘doomed’?

When someone dies, their body is taken to a church for the funeral. These rights were not given to those who died in the war. These men died for their country; in this poem, Owen asks what is done to mark the deaths of soldiers who die on the battlefield.

Compile a table showing what Owen shows us is usually done to mark someone’s death and the wartime equivalent:

Civilian Funeral Soldier’s death  Passing (funeral) bells = Monstrous anger of the guns  Prayers  Church choir  Funeral candles  Pall  Flowers  Drawing down blinds in a house in mourning

Does Owen like the funeral ceremonies? Which word tells you his opinion?

What is the message of the poem? Explain using quotes from the poem to justify your ideas.