How to Kill: Poetry and War (original) (raw)

This paper explores the relationship between poetry and war throughout the 20th century, particularly focusing on the expectations and literary outputs surrounding both World Wars. It discusses how the romanticized views of war poets from the First World War have influenced perceptions of war poetry, especially in the context of the Second World War and modern conflicts. The text critiques the notion that poetry is a direct reflection of the war experience, suggesting that not all war experiences lead to meaningful poetic expression, and emphasizes the importance of aesthetic confidence in conveying the complexities of war.