Discuss the title of Wilfred Owen's 'Spring Offensive.'

The title is an oxymoron combining new life with death. 'Spring' with all the connotations of the freshness of a new season opposes the military connotations of 'Offensive' meaning attack. The youth associated with Spring reminds us of the young age of the soldiers involved in the attacks. Furthermore, the transition from Winter to Spring can be seen as Spring's 'Offensive' on Winter.

CL

Related English Literature GCSE answers

All answers ▸

How is Piggy presented as a sympathetic character in Golding's 'Lord of the Flies'


What can I do to understand Shakespearean language.


How to analyse a poem?


How do I answer the unseen poetry section of my exam?