Eleventh

If you are not aware, the centennial of the end of WWI will be this Sunday with many memorials and commemorations of the event that occurred at the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month. Originally, we were going to have an AP Lit celebration to mark this historical event and close read poetry of the war. Alas, we are a bit behind in schedule and have much to do to finish the semester with all of our skills and readings, so we will have to shelve the actual party. (It looks like our big party will have to be for our Canterbury Tales next semester.) Instead, here are links to the poets of WWI, which you may find occasion to read this November 11 in memorial of those who lost their lives, fought for their country, and became part of history. (Or, you can use it as an excuse to practice finding all of the poetic elements.)

"The Soldier" by Rupert Brooke, who died on his way to Gallipoli, age 27, once considered the "handsomest young man in England" by Yeats. He is probably the most famed WWI poet, or at least the one that pops up in Scholar Quiz competitions from time to time.

"For the Fallen" by Laurence Binyon, which was composed to honor the British Expeditionary Force casualties at the Western Front and read annually for ANZAC Day and other remembrance days.

"The Man He Killed" by Thomas Hardy, which was written prior to WWI, but I often include this into the poems of WWI as its sentiment was a precursor to what occurred to many soldiers.

"The German Ward" by Emma Brittain, who was a VAD nurse during the war and would eventually write a memoir in the 1930s detailing how her experience led her to a pacifist philosophy.

And even if I'm not a fan, Hemingway's works detailing soldiers and their experiences still do create a realistic view of the war and its after effects (A Farewell to Arms is the best novel, in my eyes, by him). A short story of his to ponder: "Soldier's Home".

And lastly, I was not aware of this poet until about a month ago, but she has quite the biography surrounding her writing. Introducing Mary Borden "Forgotten" Female Poet; the article has many links and samples of her writing, but here is a link to one of her poems: "At the Somme: The Song of the Mud".

If we ever do end up with extra time later on, we may brings these poems in. In the meanwhile, you have an excellent opportunity to revere the past and its poets.