Perhaps There Is a Danger in This Poem

question 8

Essay

Perhaps there is a danger in this poem. By so vividly painting an image of horror, and then decrying the goodness of battle, one could conclude that Owen is simply reacting to the horror, rather than the moral problem of killing itself. On this understanding, profound asymmetry between one military and another would lessen the scandal of war for the overpowering side (because casualties would be so much fewer). This is a fact of war known better now than in Owen's day. Now, one military can kill with drones and long-distance weapons and dramatically reduce its own casualties. Thus the horror is reduced, and perhaps war itself less questioned. What are your thoughts?