Question

Explain how the quotation below supports the speaker's opinion of war, using specific examples from the quotation itself to illustrate your argument.

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"ObsceneasCancer,bitterasthecudofvile,incurablesoresoninnocenttongues,−fromDulceetDecorumEst
A) The quotation portrays war as a grotesque and incurable affliction, emphasizing its devastating impact on soldiers.
B) The quotation glorifies war as a noble sacrifice, highlighting soldiers' bravery in the face of danger.
C) The quotation criticizes war as a futile endeavor, pointing out its senseless destruction of innocent lives.
D) The quotation romanticizes war as a heroic struggle, showcasing soldiers' resilience and determination.

Answer 1

The quotation from Wilfred Owen's poem depicts war as a repulsive and devastating experience, using imagery likening it to cancer and bitter cud, and highlighting the incurability and innocence affected to support the portrayal of war's brutal impact on soldiers.

Step-by-step explanation:

The quotation "Obscene as Cancer, bitter as the cud of vile, incurable sores on innocent tongues”, from Wilfred Owen's poem Dulce et Decorum Est, supports the speaker's opinion of war as a grotesque and incurable affliction. The use of the word obscene symbolizes the repulsive nature of war, likening it to cancer, which evokes imagery of a deadly, spreading disease. The comparison of war's bitterness to "the cud of vile" suggests a continuous and distasteful rumination on the horrific experiences soldiers endure. Moreover, describing the sores as incurable and on innocent tongues portrays the lasting trauma inflicted upon young soldiers who, despite their innocence, are unable to escape the war's brute reality.

Therefore, the correct interpretation of the quotation is Option A: The quotation portrays war as a grotesque and incurable affliction, emphasizing its devastating impact on soldiers.