The Strange Meeting

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STRANGE MEETING

WILFRED OWEN

😎 He has participated in First World War

😎 He had written his poems based on WAR THEMES

😎 He was a famous 20th Century War Poet

😎 He always highlights on the pains, sufferings, destruction that the war has created.

😎 He was a British Poet  

BACKGROUND  

👉The author has written the poem in the year 1918 and then it was published in the year 1919; this poem was published posthumously (after the death of the author). 

👉The title of the poem Strange Meeting was taken from the poem “The Revolt of Islam” by Shelly.

👉The Poem consists of Imagery, symbols, religious allusions and Metaphor.

GIST OF THIS POEM

                               The poem is about the reconciliation between the two soldiers, they fought in the war. After the death they both meet in Hell. Hence the title is justified as the Strange Meeting.

SUMMARY AND INTERPRETATION    

                    This poem contains of two soldiers one is said as speaker and other is said as soldier, the poem begins with the presence of the speaker i.e. soldier who escapes from the battle field and goes to a deep dark tunnel. As he enters the tunnel he sees at granite rocks and thinks that the granite rocks were created by past wars. The Tunnel was:

                                        💭Dark Place

                                      💭Hell

                                      💭Underground Place

As he goes he realizes that he is in Hell.

IN THE HELL

                              As he reaches the hell he sees a lot of people mourning and suffering there. Some were sleeping and some were moving slowly. The speaker sees a person and touches him he walks him up. That person is also a soldier, the soldier recognizes the speaker as he had seen him before in the battlefield.

                           The soldier thinks that this speaker too has died and feels pity for him; the soldier lifts his hand and tries to bless the speaker. The soldier smile was meaningless (symbolizes that he is dead and he is now in hell). The speaker notices the fear in the face of the soldier; the soldier says to the speaker that Hell is different from battlefield.

➤ Battlefield there will be lot of bloodsheds, gunshots, fights, violence and sufferings.

➤  Hell is not like battlefield, here it will be peaceful, says the speaker.   

The speaker then addresses to the soldier as the strange friend. The soldier then speaks that he is in hopeless situation and he feels for his life, then the soldier begins to express his views:

            When he was alive he was a man of hope, dreams, aspiration in life and he always searches for the wildest beauty in the world (not physical beauty) before he could find his wildest beauty his life would have come to an end. He has spent all his time in the war. He could not achieve his dreams and hopes in his life. Then he states that due to the war there are lots of destructions and sufferings. Then he says that people has to learn about the consequences of the war.

WAR      

        The soldier says that people don’t think of war they remain happy and on the other side if they are unhappy their anger makes them involve in fighting with their enemies and it destroys the peace of the peoples. And then the author states that the authorities should give instruction in progression and not for distraction.

        The soldier then talks about his mastery, he says:

                                                            👍He is very confident

                                                            👍He is courageous

                                                            👍He has wisdom and

                                                            👐He knows everything

        He is a person who always thinks about how the world can move forward rather than moving backward. He always wishes the world to go forward and not backward.

                Example: Progression of the world – If the chariot wheels are blocked with blood this could be washed with pure water. If war is taking place it destroys the others life, and it distracts everything. In order to prevent war he uses the TRUTH as a tool so that the evil things can be removed off easily. Here the speaker urges people to bring peace.  The speaker adds on saying that people suffer a lot in war, even though the people who are not physically wounded they suffer a lot mentally.

“WAR STIMULATES PHYSICAL AND MENTAL HEALTH OF THE PEOPLE”

                    Then the soldier tells another secret to the speaker stating that the speaker is a person who killed the soldier in the battle field. The soldier could not defend because of weakness and nervousness when he was killed by the speaker. Then the soldier says that they were enemies in the battlefield and now they are friends. The soldier then asks the speaker to take rest in the Hell. This is the summary and the interpretation of the poem THE STRANGE MEETING.

SOME POSSIBLE QUESTIONS

1. Justify the title of the poem The Strange Meeting.

2. What is the essence of the War that is stated in the poem? 

3. Who did the soldier/speaker meets in the Hell? (2 Marks)      


Wilfred Owen: A Poetic Exploration of War and Redemption in "Strange Meeting"

Wilfred Owen, a renowned British poet of the 20th century, is celebrated for his profound exploration of the human experience during World War I through his poignant war-themed poetry. His poem "Strange Meeting," written in 1918 and published posthumously in 1919, exemplifies his poetic prowess in portraying the horrors and consequences of war.

Background and Themes: Owen, having experienced the brutal realities of the First World War firsthand, crafted his poems to highlight the pains, sufferings, and destruction wrought by war. "Strange Meeting," taking its title from Percy Bysshe Shelley's "The Revolt of Islam," delves deep into the surreal encounter between two soldiers in Hell, reflecting themes of reconciliation, remorse, and the haunting aftermath of conflict.

Summary and Interpretation: The poem opens with a soldier, the narrator, escaping the battlefield and descending into a dark, tunnel-like space that he perceives as Hell. Amidst granite rocks and a somber atmosphere, he encounters another soldier who recognizes him from their past in battle. This soldier, initially mistaking the narrator for another casualty, expresses pity and attempts to bless him.

As they converse, it becomes clear that they are now in Hell, a stark contrast to the battlefield. The soldier laments the loss of his dreams and aspirations, consumed by the relentless brutality of war. He reflects on the destructive nature of conflict, which not only claims lives but also shatters hopes and ambitions. The poem evokes imagery of suffering souls and portrays Hell as a place of introspection and regret.

Themes Explored:

  • Futility of War: Owen critiques the senselessness of war, depicting it as a force that destroys lives and dreams without achieving meaningful progress.
  • Remorse and Reconciliation: The encounter between the two soldiers in Hell serves as a metaphorical exploration of guilt, forgiveness, and the shared humanity amidst wartime adversaries.
  • Symbolism and Imagery: Through vivid imagery, religious allusions, and metaphors, Owen paints a vivid picture of the psychological and emotional toll of war, transcending mere physical suffering.

Message and Impact: "Strange Meeting" stands as a powerful testament to Owen's anti-war sentiments and his belief in the necessity of learning from the horrors of war to prevent future conflicts. The poem challenges readers to confront the realities of war and its enduring consequences on both individuals and societies.

Legacy of Wilfred Owen: Wilfred Owen's legacy extends beyond his literary contributions; he remains a poignant voice against war, advocating for peace and understanding through his evocative poetry. His works continue to resonate with readers worldwide, urging reflection on the human cost of conflict and the imperative of seeking reconciliation amidst adversity.

In conclusion, "Strange Meeting" encapsulates Wilfred Owen's artistic vision and moral convictions, offering a profound exploration of war's impact on the human spirit. Through its narrative and thematic depth, the poem invites readers to contemplate the universal themes of suffering, redemption, and the quest for peace in the face of wartime devastation.


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