The War I Was A Devastating Time For The End Of A Day

World War I was a devastating time for the whole entire world, both economically and physically. Even more devastating than the physical destruction and economic losses, were the psychological effects on the soldiers who fought this gruesome war. The conditions and nature of the warfare greatly affected these men. Not only did they suffer from many physical losses, such as death of beloved ones, separation from families, and bodily injuries, they also suffered psychologically due to the extensive trauma. The â€Å"lost generation† suffered immensely from post-traumatic stress, and lost their ability to live normal lives, along with their willpower and strength. They may have survived, but they were living corpses. The war had turned them into†¦show more content†¦In the second stanza, the soldier recalls the old days, when the town â€Å"used to swing so gay† (Owen, 7). He is yearning for the days when life was ideal. In particular, he yearns for love. This is evident through how he states he will never be able to feel a woman’s slim waist or hands. Now, he says that â€Å"all of them touch him like some queer disease† implying that any women he does come into contact with are probably nurses (Owen, 13). This poem depicts how the â€Å"lost generation† was unable to experience normal life experiences after the war, such as a relationship. The soldier even reflects on why he joined the army in the first place. â€Å"It was after football, when he d drunk a peg / He thought he d better join. He wonders why... / Someone had said he d look a god in kilts† (Owen, 23-25). The importance surrounding the life of a soldier and the glamorous uniform enticed him to join the army, but in reality, being a soldier was nothing like he had expected. Instead of people honoring him, which was the reason he joined the war, people only pitied him. Essentially, this poem is comparing the soldier to an old person who spends his last days in sickness, recalling the good days when he was young and healthy. He cannot even put himself to bed, and like an old person needs assistance for such a task. The soldier is an empty soul, every word he utters is dreary and void of any feeling. The future seems