sassoon poems
study questions
  1. How does the historical information (pp 142-44) about WWI shed light on the ideas in and tone of the poems we are reading? Name a few specific historical details about WWI that are relevant.
  2. "They" – Explain the poem's title?  What is the conflict or tension between the boys and the Bishop?  Is it resolved?  Why or why not?
  3. "The Rear-Guard" – How does the description of environment support the poem's viewpoint?  What is this viewpoint (about war)?
  4. "The General" – How is the General characterized here?  What details/ideas are specifically stated and what details are implied?
  5. "Glory of Women" – What role do women have in war, according to the poem?  How do you explain the reference to the German mother (line12)?
  6. "Everyone Sang"  – A poem that celebrates the end of WWI, what is the speaker's and everyone's connection to a bird singing?
  7. How are Sassoon's poem examples of literature from the Modern British Period? (Look at general introduction - "Poetry")