Dustin’s Compare/Contrast essay.
Pro patria mor, or to die for one’s country. How does In Flanders Field
by John Mcrae relate and differ from Dulce et Decorum est by Wilfred Owen? Both of the
poems are about war, being on the same subject they still have differences from another.
The poems are both about war but they are different. The first poem In Flanders Fields is one
of the most known poems in Canada. The poem takes place during the Great War or World
War one. John Mcrae wrote the poem after the funeral of his friend and fellow soldier Alexis
Helmer, who died during the second battle of Ypres. According to legend John threw away the
poem because he felt it was unsatisfactory. The poem is in second person because it
addresses the reader, such as the verse, To you from failing hands we throw. The poems
rhyme scheme, A,A,B,B,A, where the matching letter rhymes and each letter is a line.
The second poem, Dulce et Decorum est by Owen Wilson is more graphic writing. The
poem is known for its horrific imagery and its deep wording. The poem was published in 1920
but it’s first drafts were written in 1917 and had many changes. The poem has a strong
message about war. How we’re told it will be great and glorious, but it’s bloodshed and suffering.
The poet pushes this idea by writing a graphic death of a young soldier. The last few lines also
help this idea.
To children ardent for some desperate glory,
The old Lie: Dulce et decorum est
Pro patria mori.
Dulce et decorum est/ Pro patria mori. a latin expression meaning Sweet and fitting it is to die for one’s country is commonly used for war stories like this one.
The poems share many similarities, one being, war. The subject is war in both poems
and they display it differently, but still show the idea of war. These poems are possibly thought
to be the same battle, the second battle of Ypres. In Flanders Field, John Mcrae wrote the
poem for his fallen friend and soldier who died in the second...