Poetry is an art form that can be used to reflect, react and respond to time, people and situations, figuratively. Clever arrangement of words and syntax variations create ebb and flow of language that falls off the tongue and leaves an artistic residue with the reader. Wartime poets influence readers to react to their reflections and responses, allowing outstanding artworks of that period to be produced. John Le Gay Brereton, who is a wartime poet, developed many social views bilateral to his educated upbringing, which assisted in his production of written art.
For Valour, a war poem written by Brereton, addresses the pity that is in the poetry by encapsulating the reluctant socio-cultural attitude, his proud individual beliefs and strong…show more content… Reflecting a society that was proud, uninformed and oblivious to the horrors of war, Le Gay Brereton followed the tradition of wartime poetry by depicting the tragedy and sadness, but contradicted the traditions by paying homage to the soldiers in regard to death. As well as this, the poem invited the reader to concoct battlefield scenarios, similar to other wartime poetry, but also to acknowledge the post death situations. This is depicted in his line “for men knew how to live and die”. Brereton filtered through themes of tragedy, victory, mateship and fidelity, which were achieved by stanzas that adopted different moods. It is clear that initial Stanza is a victorious mood, whereas the fourth is tragic and morbid. The poem begins, “Hail to you, comrades, who have won,” and this shows the mateship and victory Brereton was introducing. The third Line of the first Stanza reads, “The honour that men give with pride” and this illustrates both Brereton’s and society’s view of soldiers, contributing to the valorous first line. The fourth Stanza begins with “Hell’s throat may swallow down its lie” immediately creating the mood of darkness and despair, entwining the themes of tragedy and morbidity further with “the hissing brood of hate”. This line utilises personification, showing that hate became more than an emotion during the war.…show more content… For Valour reveals John Le Gay Brereton’s reluctant attitude towards war, which was synonymous with Australian citizens at the time. His attitude is exposed in line “the smothering shroud of deadly peace,” which demonstrates how the fatal peace, won by the war, was a façade to the true impacts of battle. By acknowledging the hardship of the soldiers, hinting at post war life, Brereton entwines a respectful tone with the socio-cultural truth about war. In addition, “And has the war, then, brought to birth…the courage that cay force its way,” shows that Brereton is acknowledging the hardship endured by soldiers and thereby commending the characteristics it has forced them to attribute. Brereton’s reluctant attitude was both common and unique to Australian wartime society and its subtle presentation causes the reader to adopt it. This concept is similar to propaganda, relating the poem to the socio-cultural context in which it was published. Furthermore, Brereton allows for a patriotic reaction from readers with the opening line “Hail to you, comrades, who have won,” as it encourages celebration from the Australian society because their soldiers won the war. Brereton is paying them respect by ‘hailing’ them, which creates patriotism and pride within the readers. He regards their actions as a “valorous deed”, which further inspires pride from the readers as he