Final answer:
The line 'If in some smothering dreams you too could pace' best explains how war changes soldiers by indicating long-lasting psychological effects. Siegfried Sassoon portrays war as brutal and inhuman, revealing the harsh realities of soldiers' experiences on the battlefield.
Step-by-step explanation:
The line from the excerpts that best explains how war changes soldiers is 'b) If in some smothering dreams you too could pace'. This line suggests that the experience of war haunts soldiers beyond the battlefield, indicating a profound psychological impact that affects their peace of mind and possibly their mental health. The imagery of 'smothering dreams' conveys the oppressive, inescapable nature of these wartime experiences, emphasizing how war alters soldiers' psyches and stays with them long after the physical fighting has ended.
Siegfried Sassoon’s poetry often depicts war as brutal and devoid of heroism, focusing on the suffering and inhuman conditions soldiers endure. Rather than portraying war as a noble pursuit, Sassoon's writings highlight the mechanization and arbitrary nature of survival during combat, suggesting a dismissive treatment of soldiers' lives and bravery.