Siegfried Sassoon (1886-1967) was a notable English soldier and poet whose works gained recognition during World War I. His poetry was characterized by a critical and angry tone towards those responsible for the war. Let's delve deeper into the life and works of Siegfried Sassoon.
Before exploring his poetry, let's first take a look at the life of Siegfried Sassoon.
Sassoon was born on September 8, 1886, in Matfield, Kent. His mother was of Anglo-Catholic background, and his father was of Jewish descent. He attended New Beacon School and Marlborough College and later studied law at Clare College, Cambridge. However, he left without obtaining a degree to focus on his writing. In 1906, he published his first volume of poetry.
In 1914, the outbreak of World War I prompted Sassoon to join the military. He lost his younger brother during the Gallipoli Campaign and gained a reputation for his bravery, often regarded as reckless or suicidal. This led to his nickname, "Mad Jack." In 1916, he was awarded the Military Cross for his courage.
In 1917, Sassoon was wounded and sent back home to recover. During this time, he reflected on his war experiences and expressed his grievances towards the war and those in power. His criticism was directed towards both military authorities and the government for the suffering of soldiers. His bold declaration, "Finished with the War: A Soldier's Declaration," was read in parliament, leading to a court-martial for being a conscientious objector. However, his friend and fellow writer, Robert Graves, intervened and cited shell-shock (now known as PTSD) as the reason for Sassoon's protest, sparing him from execution.
Sassoon was then sent to Craiglockhart War Hospital in Edinburgh for treatment, where he met fellow soldier and poet, Wilfred Owen. Under Sassoon's mentorship and influence, Owen wrote two of his most famous poems, "Dulce et Decorum Est" and "Anthem for Doomed Youth." They both encouraged each other's creativity and became close friends.
Despite his previous objections, Sassoon returned to the front in 1918. After the war, he continued to write and published The George Sherston Trilogy Series in 1928. The trilogy follows the journey of protagonist George Sherston, from enlisting in the war to facing the harsh realities and loss of innocence that came with it.
In 1933, Sassoon married Hester Gatty and had a son, but the marriage ended in divorce in 1945. In 1957, he converted to Catholicism and continued his writing career until his death from stomach cancer on September 1, 1967. He was buried in Mells, Somerset, in the churchyard of St. Andrews Church.
Now let's turn our attention to Sassoon's renowned war poetry.
Siegfried Sassoon's poems, including 'Glory of Women', 'The Hero', 'The General' and 'The Rear Guard', were powerful critiques of the war and its propaganda. In his works, Sassoon condemned the misguided attitudes towards war and the blind patriotism that led to countless deaths.
The poem 'Glory of Women' uses a sarcastic tone to mock the propaganda and misguided patriotism surrounding war. Sassoon criticizes the attitudes of those at home towards soldiers, particularly towards women. The poem highlights the futility of war and its violent consequences.
Sassoon also explores this theme in 'The Hero', where he depicts the misplaced and idealized notions of honor and bravery that proved futile in the face of numerous deaths. The poem exposes the harsh reality of loss amidst the glorification of war.
In 'The General', Sassoon directly criticizes the military authority during World War I. He uses sarcasm to portray the way in which soldiers were sent to their deaths on the front line by those of higher rank, who often saw little or no action themselves.
Meanwhile, 'The Rear Guard' uses vivid imagery to illustrate the horrors of war. The poem follows a soldier's journey and his encounter with a dead soldier, highlighting the senseless loss of life in war.
Siegfried Sassoon, a prominent English soldier, author, and poet, is remembered for his powerful and thought-provoking works that highlight the devastating consequences of war. His works, which include both prose and poetry, delve into anti-war sentiments and criticize the ignorance of military authorities, the government, and those at home.
Born in Matfield, Kent in 1886, Siegfried Sassoon was an English soldier who joined the army in 1915. His daring and often reckless acts of bravery earned him recognition, but it was his writings that truly left a lasting impact. Sassoon passed away on September 1st, 1967, after battling stomach cancer and was laid to rest in Mells, Somerset. However, his legacy continues to live on through his works, which offer poignant reflections on war and society.
