Final answer:
The relationship between diction and irony in literature about war typically serves to critique the romanticization of war and to highlight the dark realities faced by soldiers. Authors like Siegfried Sassoon use these literary devices to develop themes that expose the harsh truths of war, contrasting glorified public perception with the actual experiences of combatants.
Step-by-step explanation:
The question asks about the relationship between diction and irony in literature, particularly how they contribute to a theme of war as developed by the author in question. Considering the provided information, Siegfried Sassoon, an English poet known for his war poetry, perceived war as anything but heroic. He famously critiqued the war and those responsible for it, conveying the grim realities of the battlefield rather than a romanticized version of war. Sassoon's poems often reflect the mistreatment and lack of genuine recognition faced by soldiers, contrasting the public's perception of heroism with the soldier's experience of suffering and exploitation. Through the use of diction, or the choice of words, Sassoon and other authors are able to evoke feelings and attitudes towards war, often employing irony to juxtapose the glorified image of war with the harsh reality. For example, the transition from glorified war-related diction to one that reflects the true horrors of war can heavily impact the theme, as seen in "Chickamauga" where early notions of valor give way to an understanding of war's true brutality as the story unfolds. Similarly, figures like Ernest Hemingway used the horrors of World War I to shock readers out of their preconceived notions of war's glory and nobility. These literary techniques are central to developing a theme that often criticizes war, challenges prevailing attitudes, and highlights the disconnect between society's romantic ideals and the soldier's lived experience.