English Literature and Language

 #ugcnetenglish #englishliterature Introduction War poetry emerged during World War I as a stark contrast to the romanticized Georgian poetry that preceded it. Poets like Wilfred Owen, Siegfried Sassoon, and Rupert Brooke rejected glorified notions of war, instead exposing its brutality, futility, and psychological toll. Their works, often termed "anti-war poetry," combined raw realism with profound pity, capturing the horrors of trench warfare and the disillusionment of a generation. Key War Poets 1. Rupert Brooke (1887–1915) Biography Born into an affluent family; educated at Rugby and Cambridge. Early influences: French Symbolists, English Decadents (Wilde, Swinburne). Traveled extensively (U.S., Tahiti) before enlisting in 1914. Died of blood poisoning en route to Gallipoli; buried in Skyros, Greece. Style & Themes Patriotic idealism : Celebrated sacrifice and national pride ( "The Soldier" ). Romantic lyricism : Contrasted sharply with later poets’ grim r...