The First World War was probably the occurrence that has had the most profound effect on people's views on the principles of war and patriotism. Before the War there was a glamorous, even attractive idea of war portrayed by the government, this view was accepted by the public, hence the massive amounts of voluntary enlistment during the first few months of the War. With the introduction of photographic technology the traditional idea of war and death for your country was shattered, it was revealed to a quite unprepared public that they were sending their "boys" out into a hell of mud, death and inhuman suffering that could reduce the most determined of soldiers to a state of total incompetence, both mentally and physically.

A war is no longer the clashing of individuals in more or less single combat, it is the clashing of governments, the enemy is not the man that you kill with your bayonet, it is the state responsible for placing him in the path of that thrust. Unlike medieval battles where champions of the armies could often settle disputes and the most fierce battles were fought either by volunte

Whitman's reference to "the mother needs to be better" could be symbolism referring to the need to heal Mother America but is more likely a try at reaching a grieving mother who is worried about her son. What better way to reach the public than through the more sensitive and uninvolved group in society.

ers or by those who owe allegiance to one king or another, in the First World War there was very little personal loyalty to the generals or parliament, there was only a certain feeling that it was important to "do your bit" for the war effort. It wasn't until the wounded and shell shocked victims of global conflict started pouring into Britain in their thousands that the public feelings of national pride began to ebb and conscription was introduced.

Walt Whitman lived around the era of the American Civil War, it was a major turning point in the history of that country but it cost dearly in the lives of young men, both Confederate and Yankee. It is not entirely clear to which side this family belongs, which is probably intentional. The poem is intended as a protest against the pointless sacrifice made by so many young men. He refers to the death of the only son by means of a delighted daughter calling the family together to read a letter from her brother. When the family is gathered they hurriedly open the letter only to find that another has written in the place of their son and, despite the fact that the letter says that Pete will soon be better "Alas poor boy, he will never be better...the only son is dead".

Some common words found in the essay are:
World War, Victoria Cross, Confederate Yankee, Wlfred Owen, John McCrae, Saint George, Mother America, Henry England, Dr McCrae's, Decorum Est, et decorum, dulce et, dulce et decorum, siege harfleur, et decorum est, world war, decorum est, henry siege harfleur, walt whitman, idea war, war patriotism, henry siege, father walt whitman, disturbed soil, flanders fields major,
Approximate Word count = 2009
Approximate Pages = 8 (250 words per page double spaced)