Peter Weir’s film Gallipoli presents
the notion that many young men volunteer in war as an opportunity for
adventure, however it also proposes other reasons as to why they take part, including for the act of patriotism and an assertion of bravery to rid the image of a coward. The movie clearly enforces just how much precious life is wasted at war, and how it simply a killing spree and much less an adventure or glorious responsibility. Different techniques are used to portray this message - the initial excitement the soldiers share, the young ages at which they enrol, their interest and pride to take take part - which is all contradicted once they start to experience war and it's horrific nature. Perhaps one of the most comforting scenes where this idea of adventure and duty is contradicted and shamed is when dozens of young Australian soldiers are sent out on the front line despite knowing they will die, running out unarmed and helpless. It is through scenes such as this that Gallipolli creates the impression that despite theories, despite the glorification of war, it really is just a waste of the beautiful young men that were sent - destroying everything they were, and ever would be.
Thursday, October 25, 2012
Week 2 Homework Term 4
Write an introductory paragraph in response to the question we have been working on in class. “Young men go to war because it provides them with the opportunity for adventure.” To what extent is this borne out by Peter Weir’s film, “Gallipoli”? In your response you must discuss the way the film positions viewers to understand its message. Post to your blog before Tuesday's lesson.
Monday, October 22, 2012
SUICIDE IN THE TRENCHES
2. The author claims of “Suicide in the Trenches” that Siegfried Sassoon “makes his point clear with tremendous force and effectiveness”. What is the poet’s message and how effectively (in your opinion) is the message conveyed?
Siegfried Sassoon demonstrates an incredibly forceful and effect point in his poem Suicide in the Trenches. Sassoon emphasise the precious life that is being wasted and forgotten in war. He creates the image of a young soldier boy, a normal boy with hopes and dreams, a normal content boy with an appreciation for life and peace - his world was totally uncorrupted. As the poem continues it reverses this idea - as the boy commits suicide in the trenches. It comes to show just how horrifying the conditions must have been for a happy young man to do such a thing. War is so horrific that it has forced him to destroy his own life - a beautiful boy full of vivacity, gone. There is a mention of how the boy is forgotten after he shoots himself, meaning no-one wants to be reminded of just how terrible war can effect people. In the final paragraph Sassoon mentions the shame people should feel for sending these promising young men to war, totally destroying everything they are and ever will be. The messages are clear: people cannot possibly imagine the horrors war presents and the precious life which it so carelessly destroyed. War is not meant to glorified, but shamed. In terms of poetic techniques, the poet uses alliteration, rhyme and very descriptive language.
Siegfried Sassoon demonstrates an incredibly forceful and effect point in his poem Suicide in the Trenches. Sassoon emphasise the precious life that is being wasted and forgotten in war. He creates the image of a young soldier boy, a normal boy with hopes and dreams, a normal content boy with an appreciation for life and peace - his world was totally uncorrupted. As the poem continues it reverses this idea - as the boy commits suicide in the trenches. It comes to show just how horrifying the conditions must have been for a happy young man to do such a thing. War is so horrific that it has forced him to destroy his own life - a beautiful boy full of vivacity, gone. There is a mention of how the boy is forgotten after he shoots himself, meaning no-one wants to be reminded of just how terrible war can effect people. In the final paragraph Sassoon mentions the shame people should feel for sending these promising young men to war, totally destroying everything they are and ever will be. The messages are clear: people cannot possibly imagine the horrors war presents and the precious life which it so carelessly destroyed. War is not meant to glorified, but shamed. In terms of poetic techniques, the poet uses alliteration, rhyme and very descriptive language.
