BABA’S PAPER

A STRANGE MEETING

Wilfred Owen's Strange Meeting is a powerful anti-war poem, which explores the
psychological and emotional consequences of war through a surreal, haunting encounter
between two soldiers. The poem delves into themes of empathy, loss, and the futility of
violence.

Summary and Analysis:

The poem begins with the narrator describing a surreal escape from the horrors of battle, as
though descending into a tunnel through the earth, which had been carved out by "titanic
wars." This subterranean setting suggests a place removed from the surface world, perhaps
symbolic of death or the aftermath of war, a place where both the living and the dead are
trapped in a liminal state.

As the narrator encounters what seems to be a dead soldier, the soldier suddenly wakes and
stares at him with a look of recognition. The soldier’s smile, though dead and “sullen,”
signifies that the two men share a deeper understanding—this is a moment of realization that
they are in Hell. This Hell is not some mythic place, but a representation of the war itself and
its toll on humanity.

The dead soldier then speaks, revealing that he too had once been full of youthful hope and
ambition, much like the narrator. He explains that both had sought beauty and meaning, only
to find that it was destroyed by war. This soldier’s lament is for the lost potential of his life,
the "undone years" and the "hopelessness" that war imposes. The soldier reflects on how
people will continue to carry out senseless violence and destruction in the name of progress,
without ever understanding the true cost. His words criticize society's blind acceptance of
war, the way men are willing to march without questioning, their minds clouded by pride or
fear.

As the poem reaches its conclusion, the dead soldier reveals a poignant truth: "I am the
enemy you killed, my friend." This revelation makes it clear that the speaker and the soldier
are the same, that the narrator has killed this man in battle. They are now bound by a shared
understanding of the futility and horror of war. The soldier, having been killed by the
narrator, no longer holds anger, only a desire for peace. The last line, "Let us sleep now,"
suggests that both men have reached a point of exhaustion and resignation, seeking rest from
the endless cycle of violence.

Themes:

1. The Futility of War: Owen critiques the glorification of war and the false promises
of honor and heroism. The soldier's reflection on "the pity war distilled" highlights the
tragedy and the meaningless suffering caused by conflict.
2. Shared Humanity: The moment of recognition between the two soldiers emphasizes
that they are not enemies in the traditional sense but victims of the same tragic
circumstance. Their shared experience transcends national borders and labels.
3. Psychological Impact: The encounter is a dreamlike vision, underscoring how war
affects soldiers' mental and emotional states. The "dead smile" of the soldier
represents the psychological toll, a smile that suggests an understanding of the horrors
they both share.
4. Regret and Loss: The dead soldier’s reflection on what he could have achieved in
life, had it not been for war, speaks to the deep regret that war brings—not just to
those who die but also to those who survive and witness the destruction.
Structure and Style:

Owen's use of vivid, sensory language and the poem's bleak imagery creates a haunting
atmosphere. The irregular structure, with a blend of loose and formal meter, mirrors the
emotional turbulence of the speaker and the chaos of war. The poem’s tone shifts from
despair to contemplation, and the final lines bring a tragic sense of closure.

In Strange Meeting, Owen captures the grim reality of war and its lasting effects on both
soldiers and humanity, offering a profound meditation on the sorrow and futility of conflict.

1. What is the main theme of Wilfred Owen’s Strange Meeting?

a) The glory of war

b) The futility of war
c) The loss of innocence due to war
d) The bravery of soldiers

2. In Strange Meeting, where does the narrator find himself at the beginning of
the poem?

a) In a battlefield
b) In a dark underground tunnel
c) On a hill overlooking a war
d) In a soldier's camp

3. Who is the narrator's companion in the vision described in the poem?

a) A fellow soldier from his own side

b) A civilian who suffered due to the war
c) The enemy soldier he killed
d) A war veteran

4. What is the reaction of the dead soldier when he recognizes the narrator?

a) He smiles with piteous recognition

b) He becomes angry and attacks
c) He runs away
d) He weeps uncontrollably

5. What does the dead soldier mean by “the pity war distilled”?

a) The excitement and thrill of war

b) The sorrow and futility of war
c) The honor and courage shown in battle
d) The glory that war brings to nations

6. What is the tone of the poem Strange Meeting?

a) Joyful and celebratory

b) Somber and reflective
c) Sarcastic and mocking
d) Light-hearted and humorous

7. In the poem, what does the dead soldier mourn?

a) The loss of his untapped potential and wasted years

b) His country’s defeat in the war
c) The horrors of the battlefield
d) The pain of his physical wounds

8. What is the significance of the statement "Let us sleep now"?

a) It symbolizes the beginning of a new battle

b) It reflects the eternal rest that soldiers find in death
c) It shows the soldiers’ desire to escape war
d) It expresses the longing for peace before the war

9. What is suggested by the phrase "the Hell we stand in"?

a) A literal hell beneath the earth

b) The psychological and emotional suffering caused by war
c) A place of eternal punishment
d) A battlefield on the surface of the earth

10. How does the poem Strange Meeting reflect the theme of "insensibility"?

a) Soldiers are numb to the pain of others and their own suffering
b) Soldiers no longer question the morality of war
c) Soldiers are indifferent to their country's politics
d) Soldiers are reluctant to die for their country

11. What does the dead soldier mean by "Courage was mine, and I had
mystery"?

a) He had a strong desire to win the war

b) He had the power to bring peace
c) He possessed qualities that were wasted by the war
d) He had the wisdom to defeat the enemy

12. What is the final message of the poem?

a) War is necessary for the survival of nations

b) War is a noble cause
c) War brings suffering, waste, and loss of life
d) Soldiers should fight with courage and honor

13. How does the poem portray the idea of friendship in war?

a) Soldiers from different sides remain enemies

b) Friendship is celebrated during battle
c) Enemies become friends in the afterlife, transcending war
d) Soldiers never understand the meaning of friendship during war

14. What literary device is most prominently used in the line "I am the enemy
you killed, my friend"?

a) Metaphor
b) Simile
c) Irony
d) Hyperbole

15. What does the "fixed eyes" of the dead soldier symbolize?

a) His victory in the war

b) His recognition of the futility of the war
c) His anger towards the narrator
d) His longing for revenge

16. What does the phrase “the steady running of the hour” in the poem
signify?

a) The passage of time that continues despite the horrors of war

b) The arrival of a new day on the battlefield
c) The relentless, unchanging nature of time during war
d) The peace that follows after a long battle

17. What is the significance of the "chariot-wheels" in the poem?

a) They represent the movement of soldiers in battle

b) They symbolize progress in warfare
c) They signify the bloodshed and destruction caused by war
d) They depict the path to victory

18. How does Owen depict the soldier’s feelings toward his death?

a) He is at peace with it
b) He feels pride in his sacrifice
c) He regrets the waste of his life and untapped potential
d) He believes his death is part of a divine plan

19. Which of the following best describes the tone of the soldier’s words in the
poem?

a) Angry and vengeful

b) Proud and triumphant
c) Sad and regretful
d) Hopeful and optimistic

20. What does the line "None will break ranks, though nations trek from
progress" suggest about the soldiers?

a) Soldiers will continue to fight for their country no matter what

b) Soldiers are willing to disobey orders for the greater good
c) Soldiers blindly follow orders, even as the world around them retreats from progress
d) Soldiers are united in their desire for peace

21. What does the "sweet wells" in the poem symbolize?

a) The source of life on the battlefield

b) The joys of returning home
c) Truth and purity that could cleanse the destruction of war
d) The endless supply of water for soldiers

22. What is implied by the phrase "no blood reached there from the upper
ground"?

a) The narrator is safe from the horrors of war

b) The battlefield is above the underground setting of the poem
c) The war has not yet impacted the underground space where the vision occurs
d) The soldiers are immune to the effects of war

23. In the poem, what does the narrator realize by the end of the vision?
a) War is necessary for the survival of the nation
b) The futility of war is evident, and soldiers are victims of it, regardless of their side
c) War brings glory to the dead and the survivors
d) The enemy soldiers are not responsible for the deaths of their comrades

24. How does the poem challenge the glorification of war?

a) By showing the heroism and victories of soldiers

b) By portraying the waste of life and the futility of the soldiers' sacrifices
c) By praising the valor of those who fight for their country
d) By emphasizing the righteousness of war

25. What does the final line, "Let us sleep now," imply about the soldiers’
experience in war?

a) They are eager for a peaceful sleep after battle

b) They are looking forward to joining their comrades
c) Death offers the only peace from the horrors and struggles of war
d) They are wishing for a deep, restful sleep to prepare for the next battle

26. What does the "dead smile" of the soldier signify?

a) A symbol of happiness in the afterlife

b) A recognition of the futility and horror of war
c) A gesture of victory over the enemy
d) A sign of peace with the narrator

27. What is the role of the narrator in Strange Meeting?

a) A soldier who survives the war

b) A soldier who is confronted with the consequences of his actions in battle
c) A civilian witnessing the aftermath of war
d) A general commanding the soldiers

28. The line "I went hunting wild / After the wildest beauty in the world"
suggests that the soldier:

a) Sought material wealth and fame

b) Desired to find peace and tranquility
c) Sought something unattainable, symbolizing his wasted youth and lost potential
d) Was determined to prove his bravery in battle

29. What does the "march of this retreating world" imply?

a) The progress of civilization

b) The growth of the military force
c) The decline of moral and spiritual values due to the horrors of war
d) The retreat of soldiers from the battlefield

30. What is the significance of "vain citadels that are not walled"?

a) They represent the strength of the enemy fortifications

b) They symbolize the military's victory over their enemies
c) They suggest the emptiness of pride and the false sense of security during war
d) They depict the places where soldiers go to escape the war

31. In Strange Meeting, why does the dead soldier refer to the "truth untold"?
a) To reveal the strategies for winning the war
b) To express the wisdom gained from the war, which was never shared with the living
c) To mention the secrets hidden by governments during the war
d) To refer to the personal desires and wishes of soldiers that were ignored

32. What is the mood of the poem when the two soldiers meet in the afterlife?

a) Joyful and celebratory

b) Somber and regretful
c) Fearful and angry
d) Hopeful and optimistic

33. How does Owen contrast the battlefield and the vision of the afterlife?

a) The battlefield is chaotic and violent, while the afterlife represents calm and
reflection
b) The battlefield is peaceful, while the afterlife is full of torment
c) The battlefield is filled with joy, while the afterlife is bleak and silent
d) There is no contrast; both settings are equally chaotic

34. What is the emotional state of the dead soldier throughout the poem?

a) He expresses sorrow, regret, and resignation over the waste of his life
b) He feels angry and vengeful towards his killers
c) He is at peace, knowing that he fought for a noble cause
d) He expresses hope that others will continue the fight in his place

35. What is implied by the phrase "Wisdom was mine, and I had mastery" in
the poem?

a) The soldier had the power to end the war

b) The soldier was a leader who led his troops to victory
c) The soldier gained deep knowledge about the futility of war, which was wasted
d) The soldier was praised for his strategic thinking in battle

36. What is the significance of the setting being described as “Hell” in the
poem?

a) It represents the spiritual realm where souls are punished

b) It symbolizes the emotional and psychological torment caused by war
c) It suggests a physical place where soldiers are eternally trapped
d) It refers to the ultimate punishment for soldiers who fail in battle

37. What does the phrase "the pity of war" refer to in the poem?

a) The empathy soldiers have for their fallen comrades

b) The admiration soldiers receive from civilians
c) The tragic and senseless suffering caused by war
d) The rewards and honors soldiers receive after war

38. What is the effect of Owen's use of the word "sleep" in the poem?

a) It suggests the peaceful rest soldiers experience after battle

b) It represents the end of the war
c) It symbolizes the eternal peace found only in death, as opposed to the unrest of life
d) It conveys the soldiers’ desire to escape the harsh realities of the battlefield

39. What does Owen suggest about the impact of war on soldiers’ emotions?
a) Soldiers become emotionally detached and indifferent
b) Soldiers experience deep emotional turmoil, regret, and a loss of hope
c) Soldiers are proud and eager to continue fighting
d) Soldiers only feel sorrow when they are far from the battlefield

40. In the poem, what does the soldier’s "weeping" represent?

a) The grief over losing his country in the war

b) The sorrow for the wasted potential and lives lost in battle
c) The tears shed for his fallen comrades
d) The joy of finally finding peace in death

41. What is the significance of the soldier's description of the "wildest beauty
in the world"?

a) It represents a physical landscape of the battlefield

b) It symbolizes the soldier's pursuit of meaning and fulfillment, which was cut short by
war
c) It refers to the glory of war
d) It symbolizes the soldier's ambition to achieve fame

42. What does the phrase “foreheads of men have bled where no wounds
were” imply in the poem?

a) Soldiers' physical wounds are more significant than their emotional pain
b) It suggests the psychological and emotional toll of war, where trauma leaves invisible
scars
c) Soldiers bleed from their mental anguish
d) It refers to the literal injury to soldiers' foreheads

43. How does the poem highlight the theme of loss?

a) Through the loss of comrades in battle

b) Through the loss of life, dreams, and untapped potential due to war
c) Through the loss of territory and resources
d) Through the soldiers’ memories of pre-war life

44. How does Owen's use of the "dream" or "vision" structure affect the
poem?

a) It provides a sense of surrealism, making the poem more abstract

b) It creates a sense of hope and reconciliation
c) It allows for a reflection on war’s consequences in a more intimate, personal setting
d) It provides clarity on the literal aspects of war

45. What role does the concept of time play in Strange Meeting?

a) It emphasizes the endless cycle of war

b) It highlights the timelessness of suffering and the permanence of loss caused by war
c) Time moves quickly, symbolizing the soldiers’ short lives
d) Time is irrelevant in the world of the dead, as there is no need for it

46. What does the soldier mean by "None will break ranks, though nations
trek from progress"?

a) Soldiers will break ranks regardless of the consequences

b) Soldiers are constantly progressing in their fight
c) Soldiers continue to follow orders mindlessly, even as the world outside regresses
d) Soldiers are the only ones advancing during the war

47. What does the word "insensibility" refer to in the context of the poem?

a) The inability of soldiers to understand their duty

b) The emotional numbness and detachment of soldiers as a result of war’s horrors
c) The soldiers' refusal to acknowledge their own vulnerability
d) The inability of the public to empathize with soldiers

48. How does Owen use contrast in Strange Meeting?

a) By contrasting the good and evil sides of war

b) By contrasting the physical, brutal battlefield with the peaceful afterlife where
enemies become friends
c) By contrasting soldiers with civilians
d) By contrasting the narrator’s peaceful dream with the real horrors of war

49. What does the dead soldier's statement, "None save the undone years, /
The hopelessness" reveal?

a) A sense of peace in death

b) A regret for the lost years of life, and the hopelessness of ever achieving anything
meaningful due to the war
c) A longing to continue fighting for his country
d) A realization that war is a necessary evil

50. What does the phrase "for by my glee might many men have laughed"
suggest?

a) The soldier regrets not having lived a more joyful life

b) The soldier feels pride in having been an inspiration to others
c) The soldier reflects on how his potential for happiness and contribution to society was
cut short by war
d) The soldier is mourning the loss of his own happiness

51. What is the significance of the poem's conclusion, "Let us sleep now"?

a) It signifies the soldiers' readiness to leave the battlefield

b) It suggests that death is the only peace the soldiers can find, as they can no longer
rest from war’s horrors
c) It implies that the soldiers are finally at peace with their fate
d) It means the soldiers are ready to fight again after a brief rest

52. What does the phrase "pity of war" reveal about Owen's view of war?

a) War is inevitable and part of human nature

b) War is a tragic and senseless experience that causes suffering for all involved
c) War is a noble cause that soldiers should honor
d) War is a necessary evil for the survival of nations

53. What does the soldier's recognition of his enemy suggest about the human
condition in war?

a) Soldiers are always ready to kill without hesitation

b) Soldiers are often blinded by their duty, but in death, they can understand the futility
of conflict and the shared humanity of their enemies
c) The enemy is never understood, even in death
d) Soldiers view their enemies with pride, even in death

54. What is the poem's view on the idea of sacrifice in war?

a) Sacrifice is glorified and praised

b) Sacrifice is shown as a futile waste, with soldiers’ lives and potential cut short for
nothing meaningful
c) Sacrifice is seen as a patriotic duty
d) Sacrifice leads to personal growth and societal progress

55. What message does Owen communicate about the consequences of war
through the "vision" of the dead soldier?

a) War leads to fame and recognition

b) War results in the unnecessary destruction of human potential, leaving behind regret
and loss
c) War is a way to secure national borders and protect countries
d) War is an honorable path for those seeking glory

56. How does Owen’s depiction of the afterlife contrast with traditional views
of it?

a) It represents a place of eternal punishment

b) It is depicted as a peaceful, serene afterlife
c) It serves as a space for soldiers to reflect on the futility of war, with enemies becoming
friends
d) It is a place for soldiers to reunite with their families

57. What does the phrase “the hopelessness” in the poem reflect?

a) The soldiers' hopeless desire for victory

b) The hopelessness of life after death
c) The despair and futility of war, where soldiers' sacrifices achieve nothing meaningful
d) The soldiers’ inability to escape the battlefields

58. How does the speaker’s attitude towards war evolve in Strange Meeting?

a) He becomes more eager to fight and win

b) He embraces the glory of war
c) He becomes disillusioned with the idea of war, seeing it as pointless and tragic
d) He learns to accept war as a necessary evil

59. What is the purpose of the dialogue between the two soldiers in the
afterlife?

a) To plan their revenge on the enemy

b) To celebrate their victories
c) To reflect on the futility of war and the shared suffering between enemies
d) To exchange strategies for future battles

60. What is the effect of Owen’s use of the phrase "None will break ranks"?

a) It signifies the unity of soldiers against the enemy

b) It suggests that soldiers follow orders blindly, even when they know war is futile
c) It implies that soldiers are disciplined and will never desert their comrades
d) It symbolizes soldiers’ determination to resist the enemy at all costs