Ron+Olson-+Inquiry+Paper+Draft

=Ron Olson = =ECI 435 = =Dr. John Lee =

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= Historical Inquiry Paper =

= Rough Draft =

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=  //“In Flanders fields the poppies blow, Between the crosses, row on row, That mark our place; and in the sky The larks, still bravely singing, fly Scarce heard amid the guns below.”// - __In Flanders Fields__, by John McCrae  =

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= = === For decades now, since the end of World War I, the above stanza from John McCrae’s famous poem has touched hearts and made people stop and think about the nature of war and its lasting toll on man. Through the countless lives lost, and all the puddles of blood that earth’s crust has drowned in, there has existed solemn voices in the background, expressing their battlefield experiences through poetic forms. From Walt Whitman and the American Civil War, to Brian Turner and the War in Iraq, war poetry has made a mark in recent human history. Their poems, though quiet in stance, have spoken volumes to the degree that warfare haunts the individuals who directly involve themselves in it. What exactly is it about wartime poetry that shouts to the core of human existence, from the bane of possible death at every moment to the surreal event of supposed victory? What is there to be said about war poets, their poetry, and the messages, if any, they want to convey to the rest of us who will never see or properly understand the horrors of war? The topic is intriguing to say the least, but more importantly it is a necessary one that needs to be looked at, if nothing else to give honor to those who have served in times of conflict. Just like many other deplorable affairs that make up life, war is a unavoidable condition of human existence, and it is through poetry that one can get a personal glimpse into the state. Here, we will look at Whitman’s work through his experience with the American Civil War, and then move onto World War I, and its several famous poets and their respective pieces. World War I, by itself, is seen as the epitome of war poetry, and its work will vary greatly from that of Whitman’s. But, as we will see, there exists more than a couple common themes from each particular ordeal, each highlighting genuine elements of human sentiment. These emotions...rather, these horrid conditions of human experience, will serve as the basis for this inquiry. ===


 * please note that my topic had been switched the Saturday before this was due, thus it is rather incomplete