Question

In an essay of at least 250 words, describe how Levertov treats the theme of war differently in “Life at War” and “Overheard Over S.E. Asia.” In your essay, compare and contrast the imagery and tone in both poems to support your analysis. Click here to access the text.

Answer 1

In "Life at war" The poem begins by claiming that "disasters numb within us," suggesting that our lives are so filled with war that we are numb to its effect. The word "numb" suggests the speaker feels powerless to the situation. In the first four stanzas of the poem, the author continues to use words that shows she feels hopeless and passive about this—"lumps of raw dough" and "formless lumps,"(as an example) Accepting the "same war" all our lives and coating the imagination with "gray filth" are dark. The tone of these stanzas is pessimistic, like there is nothing humanity can do to change. In "Overheard Over S.E. Asia." the tone is shown with the question to the author. The question almost seems fairy-tale-like. They use word choices like "bamboo thickets," "rich seas," "rainy nights," and "whisper of sequins" have positive hints. These images awake feelings of calmness with the natural world. But quickly, the tone changes from a light tone to a grim one. By introducing disturbing word choices that are illogical.

Step-by-step explanation:

I got a good mark on Odyssey

Hope this helps : )

Answer 2

Both have different themes.

Step-by-step explanation:

The theme of of both poems i.e. “Life at War” and “Overheard Over S.E. Asia.” are different from each other. In the poem “Life at War” the poet says that there is a lot of horror things the soldiers experience which change their personality. They experience disease, pain and face the death also while on the other hand, in the poem “Overheard Over S.E. Asia.” the poet describes the use of phosphorus by the United States in the Vietnam war which is a very dangerous chemical because it burn the whole body. In one poem the poet describes the fearful experience of war whereas in the other poem the poet describe the U.S using white phosphorus in the war which affect the civilians as well.