Analysis of "Base Details" by Siegfried Sassoon in the Context of War
The poem "Base Details" by Siegfried Sassoon critiques the callousness of British officers who send young soldiers to their deaths while they live comfortably at the base. Sassoon's disdain for the officers is evident through vivid imagery and themes of war, highlighting the hypocrisy and loss experienced in World War I.
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Base Details Siegfried Sassoon Date: Objectives 1. Introduce the poem. 2. Examine the images and themes of War: (This could also be a poem with a special meaning for you or with interesting images) Warm up picture on next page I see, I think, I wonder
Warm-up I see..........I think.......I wonder....
In case other image blurry I see..........I think.......I wonder....
Quick background before we begin. The poet, Siegfried Sassoon, fought in World War One. He was very angry at how many soldiers died. He felt like the lives of the frontline soldiers were not valued enough and were wasted needlessly. Even after publically voicing this opinion though, he stayed in the front lines and fought with his men.
Base Details If I were fierce, and bald, and short of breath I'd live with scarlet Majors at the Base, And speed glum heroes up the line to death. You'd see me with my puffy petulant face, Guzzling and gulping in the best hotel, Reading the Roll of Honour. "Poor young chap," I'd say "I used to know his father well; Yes, we've lost heavily in this last scrap." And when the war is done and youth stone dead, I'd toddle safely home and die in bed. Siegfried Sassoon
First of all Blackadder Goes Forth Great representation of World War 1 feelings. Base Details If I were fierce, and bald, and short of breath Exercise 1: First Impressions I'd live with scarlet Majors at the Base, And speed glum heroes up the line to death. Having read the poem once, write down You'd see me with my puffy petulant face, one sentence in response and share it. Guzzling and gulping in the best hotel, Reading the Roll of Honour. "Poor young chap," Try using: I think, I know, I don t know, I want I'd say "I used to know his father well; to know. Yes, we've lost heavily in this last scrap." And when the war is done and youth stone dead, I'd toddle safely home and die in bed. Siegfried Sassoon
Notes notes copy Lines 1-3 The poet s dislike or distain for British officers can be seen in the opening of the poem. They are old, unfit men, covered in red, who send others to the front lines of battle. The uniforms are red in places, but what else is red? If I were fierce, and bald, and short of breath I'd live with scarlet Majors at the Base, And speed glum heroes up the line to death.
Notes Lines 4-5 The poet imagines what it would be like to be an officer. He would have innocent childish features and get drunk in luxury hotels. What should they be doing? Why is he bitter and angry? You'd see me with my puffy petulant face, Guzzling and gulping in the best hotel,
Notes Lines 6-8 We see the image of the officers talking very casually about the death of front line soldiers. They disrespect the dead in how easygoing they are, referring to a battle as a scrap . Has scrap another meaning? Reading the Roll of Honour. "Poor young chap," I'd say "I used to know his father well; Yes, we've lost heavily in this last scrap."
Notes Lines 9-10 The final image of the poem is the old officer returning safely home to die of old age, peacefully. This is in contrast to the young soldier who is stone dead . Stone dead What is made of stone related to death? Would you liked to be called a stone? Why? And when the war is done and youth stone dead, I'd toddle safely home and die in bed.
Final note The name of the poem has several meanings as well. Base could refer to a military strategy building, a starting foundation or the lowest bottom of something. You decide. It s all about that Base
Homework questions in exercise copy. 3-5 sentences long with one quote each answer. Part 1 1. Has this poem affected your opinion of war? 2. What do you think the poet wants to change? 3. Is there an image you find interesting here? 4. Would you recommend this poem?
Homework part 2 Learn the first four lines. If I were fierce, and bald, and short of breath I'd live with scarlet Majors at the Base, And speed glum heroes up the line to death. You'd see me with my puffy petulant face,
Base Details If I were fierce, and bald, and short of breath I'd live with scarlet Majors at the Base, And speed glum heroes up the line to death. You'd see me with my puffy petulant face, Guzzling and gulping in the best hotel, Reading the Roll of Honour. "Poor young chap," I'd say "I used to know his father well; Yes, we've lost heavily in this last scrap." And when the war is done and youth stone dead, I'd toddle safely home and die in bed. Siegfried Sassoon
Base Details 2 Siegfried Sassoon Date: Objectives To examine the poetic techniques of Base Details, including: Rhyme (it actually has some ) Tone Alliteration Warm up - next slide
Warm-up exercise Base Details If I were fierce, and bald, and short of breath Write down the words that I'd live with scarlet Majors at the Base, rhyme in the poem like And speed glum heroes up the line to death. You'd see me with my puffy petulant face, follows: 1-2, 3-4, 5-6, 7-8, 9-10 Guzzling and gulping in the best hotel, Reading the Roll of Honour. "Poor young chap," I'd say "I used to know his father well; Is there any connection Yes, we've lost heavily in this last scrap." between some of the words And when the war is done and youth stone dead, I'd toddle safely home and die in bed. and what they rhyme with? Siegfried Sassoon
Warm-up exercise Base Details If I were fierce, and bald, and short of breath a Write down the words that I'd live with scarlet Majors at the Base, b rhyme in the poem like And speed glum heroes up the line to death. a You'd see me with my puffy petulant face, b follows: 1-2, 3-4, 5-6, 7-8, 9-10 Guzzling and gulping in the best hotel, c Reading the Roll of Honour. "Poor young chap," d I'd say "I used to know his father well; c Is there any connection Yes, we've lost heavily in this last scrap. d between some of the words And when the war is done and youth stone dead,e I'd toddle safely home and die in bed. e and what they rhyme with? Siegfried Sassoon
Notes Rhyme A poet s choice of rhyming words are important as they are connected not only by sound but by meaning as well. These words are compared and contrasted. They are perhaps the most key words in the entire poem. Here, they highlight the indifferent attitude of the officers and the poet s bitterness towards them. Question: What images do those words highlight? Breath death , Base face, Hotel well, Chap scrap, Dead bed.
Notes Rhyme Any change in rhyme is significant. The last two lines form a couplet, highlighting the fates of the soldiers and officers. And when the war is done and youth stone dead, I'd toddle safely home and die in bed.
Quick Question. What is irony? Can someone give an example of something ironic?
Irony language or situations that seem to reverse normal expectations. Not Just Coincidence Not Whenever Something Bad Happens. It is the Opposite Of normal Expectations. If they spelled Hospital wrong not ironic. School is where you learn to spell so it is.
Notes Tone The tone is angry and ironic. The poet imagines himself to be an officer to show us what is wrong with them. He says one thing but means another. Question: If I were... are the opening words of the poem. What does he say he would do and would he really do them do you think?
Notes Alliteration Alliteration is used to speed up the pace of the poem and call attention to certain words. Here, it is only used to describe the officers. Question: The words around the officers are faster because of this technique. Is the poet mocking them? Could you insult their speed or lack thereof.
Base Details Learning the poem If I were fierce, and bald, and short of breath I'd live with scarlet Majors at the Base, Harder without stanzas and the And speed glum heroes up the line to death. images are tougher to imagine or You'd see me with my puffy petulant face, Guzzling and gulping in the best hotel, draw, but try this. Reading the Roll of Honour. "Poor young chap," I'd say "I used to know his father well; Yes, we've lost heavily in this last scrap." And when the war is done and youth stone dead, I'd toddle safely home and die in bed. Siegfried Sassoon
Base Details Learning the poem Divide by rhymes 3 stanzas, If I were fierce, and bald, and short of breath I'd live with scarlet Majors at the Base, at least 3 images. And speed glum heroes up the line to death. You'd see me with my puffy petulant face, Part 1: we have red officers and sad Guzzling and gulping in the best hotel, soldiers Reading the Roll of Honour. "Poor young chap," I'd say "I used to know his father well; Part 2: Relaxed drinking old men and Yes, we've lost heavily in this last scrap. fights. And when the war is done and youth stone dead, Part 3: that bed is a beautiful image as is I'd toddle safely home and die in bed. the poor soldier. Siegfried Sassoon
Homework Copy the poem into your notes with images beside it. Remember, the point is to help you learn the poem so choose images you see as being linked to the words.
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