The Lament of the Demobilised by Vera Brittain

The poem "The Lament of the Demobilised" by Vera Brittain is a powerful and
moving expression of the disillusionment and despair felt by many soldiers who
returned home from the First World War. The poem is written in the form of an
address to the "demobilised," or those who have been released from military
service. This poem reflects the struggles and disillusionment faced by soldiers
returning from war and the societal challenges they encountered upon
demobilization.
Title Significance: The title, "The Lament of the Demobilized," immediately
suggests that this poem will explore the emotional and psychological toll of
returning to civilian life after experiencing the horrors of war. The word "lament"
implies grief and mourning.
Structure and Tone: The poem is structured as a narrative and is written in a
reflective and mournful tone. The use of first-person perspective allows readers
to empathize with the experiences of the demobilized soldiers.
The poem begins with the lines:
We have come back to our own land,
But not to the land we knew;
The old landmarks are all changed,
And the old ways are new.
These lines establish the central theme of the poem, which is the sense of
alienation and estrangement felt by the demobilised. The word "land" is used
here to represent both the physical country and the social and cultural landscape.
The poet suggests that the demobilised no longer feel at home in either of these
worlds.
The poem goes on to describe the physical and psychological scars that the war
has left on the demobilised. The poet writes:
We are maimed and scarred and sick,
And our hearts are full of fear;
We have seen too much of death and pain
To find life pleasant here.
The images of physical and psychological "scarring" are powerful reminders of
the physical and emotional toll that war takes on its participants. The poet
suggests that the demobilised will never be able to fully forget the horrors of war,
and that this will continue to haunt them even after they have returned home.
The poem ends with the lines:
We are the lost generation,
The generation that was cheated;
We have seen our dreams go down in blood,
And we have no future left to build.
The phrase "lost generation" is a powerful and evocative image that has come to
be used to describe the generation of young people who were destroyed by the
First World War. The poet suggests that the demobilised have been robbed of
their futures, and that they will never be able to fully recover from the trauma of
war.
The poem "The Lament of the Demobilised" is a powerful and moving expression
of the disillusionment and despair felt by many soldiers who returned home
from the First World War. The poem is a reminder of the human cost of war, and
the lasting scars that it leaves on those who are involved.
The poem is written in free verse, which gives the poet the freedom to express
her emotions in a more personal and direct way. The language is simple and
direct, but it is also highly effective in conveying the poet's feelings. The poem is
full of vivid imagery, such as the "landmarks" and the "dreams," which help to
create a powerful and moving emotional impact.
Overall, "The Lament of the Demobilised" is a beautifully written and moving
poem that is a powerful testament to the human cost of war.
CORE ASPECTS
Themes of Disillusionment and Loss: The central theme of the poem is
disillusionment. The soldiers returning from war had likely been filled with
patriotic fervour and idealism, but the reality of war shattered those illusions. The
poem conveys a sense of loss, not just in terms of lives lost in the war but also the
loss of innocence and the harsh return to civilian life.
Imagery of Broken Dreams: The poem uses vivid and striking imagery to depict
the shattered dreams and hopes of the demobilized soldiers. Phrases like "a
country of wild plum trees" and "a wine-red road" evoke a sense of beauty and
promise, but this imagery is juxtaposed with the grim reality of the soldiers'
experiences.
Contrast of War and Peace: The poem contrasts the world of war, with its
"laughter, love, and sudden sweet success," to the post-war world, which is filled
with "hate, pain, and soul's distress." This juxtaposition highlights the stark
difference between the ideals of war and the harsh realities of peace.
The Impact of War on Mental Health: The poem touches on the mental and
emotional scars of war. The line "There was no worth in dead men's things"
suggests the futility and emptiness of material possessions in the face of
psychological trauma.
Critique of Society: Through the poem, Vera Brittain critiques the society that
sent young men to war and then failed to adequately support and understand
them upon their return. The line "Do we dare chide them that they lie" reflects
society's reluctance to acknowledge the emotional and psychological wounds of
war veterans.
Universal Relevance: While the poem is rooted in the context of World War I, its
themes of disillusionment, loss, and the challenges faced by returning soldiers are
universal and can be applied to the experiences of veterans from various conflicts.
Literary Devices
Imagery: The poem uses vivid imagery to create powerful mental pictures that
evoke emotions. Phrases like "a country of wild plum trees," "a wine-red road," and
"the flaming crest of the dark'ning wave" paint vivid scenes that contrast the
idealized visions of peace and the grim realities of war.
Metaphor: Brittain employs metaphor to symbolize the contrasting experiences of
war and peace. For example, the line "Laughter, love, and sudden sweet success"
metaphorically represents the idealized world of war, while "hate, pain, and soul's
distress" represent the harsh realities of post-war life.
Juxtaposition: The poem juxtaposes the experiences of the soldiers in wartime with
their challenges in peacetime. This literary device enhances the contrast between
the two worlds and underscores the disillusionment felt by the demobilized
soldiers.
Alliteration: Alliteration, or the repetition of consonant sounds, is used in phrases
like "flaming crest" and "wind was wild," creating a musical and rhythmic quality in
the poem.
Personification: The poem personifies nature and inanimate objects, giving them
human characteristics or emotions. For example, "sunrise is in their eyes" and "the
road itself is old."
Symbolism: Various elements in the poem carry symbolic significance. "Plum trees"
may symbolize the unfulfilled promises of peace, and "a wine-red road" can
symbolize the difficult path of reintegration into civilian life.
Irony: Irony is evident in the contrast between the idealized world of war and the
harsh reality of post-war life. The poem's irony highlights the disillusionment
experienced by the soldiers.
Repetition: The poem uses repetition of phrases such as "The wine-red road, the
laughter, love, and sudden sweet success" for emphasis and to create a rhythmic
and melodic quality.
Enjambment: Enjambment is used throughout the poem, where lines run into the
next without a pause. This technique creates a sense of continuity and a flowing
rhythm, mirroring the soldiers' experiences.
Oxymoron: The poem uses oxymorons to emphasize the contradictory nature of
war and the soldiers' experiences. For instance, "a country of wild plum trees" and
"a wine-red road" juxtapose peaceful and violent imagery.
First-Person Perspective: The use of the first-person perspective allows readers to
directly connect with the speaker's emotions and experiences, creating a more
personal and empathetic tone.
Paradox: Paradoxical statements are employed to highlight the contradictions
inherent in war and peace. For example, "laughter" and "soul's distress" are
juxtaposed, emphasizing the paradoxical nature of wartime experiences.
THE WOMAN’S PERSPECTIVE
Women's Experiences: Although the poem primarily focuses on the experiences of
demobilized soldiers, it indirectly speaks to the experiences of women on the home
front. Women were expected to support the war effort through various roles, such
as nurses or factory workers, and they also faced the emotional toll of losing loved
ones. A feminist interpretation can emphasize the burdens and sacrifices borne by
women during and after the war.
Impact on Families: The poem can be seen as a commentary on the impact of war
on families and the disintegration of the traditional family structure. The soldiers
returning from war may struggle with their roles as husbands and fathers, and the
poem reflects the disruption of family life caused by the trauma of war. A feminist
perspective might explore how women were expected to hold families together in
the face of these challenges.
Disillusionment and Critique: The disillusionment expressed in the poem can be
seen as a broader critique of the patriarchal systems that led to the war and
perpetuated societal expectations for both men and women. A feminist analysis
may highlight how the poem critiques the glorification of war and the perpetuation
of male-dominated power structures.