Will it be so again (IEB Poetry 2023-2025)

Summary

In this lesson on Cecil D. Lewis's poem 'Will It Be So Again,' the speaker explores the futility of war and its devastating impact on society, emphasizing the cyclical nature of conflict. The poem critiques political leaders who send young men to die in wars they themselves avoid, while benefiting from the chaos. Through rhetorical questions, harsh diction, and vivid metaphors, the poet highlights the senselessness of war and calls for accountability from both leaders and citizens. The poem urges future generations to challenge the cycle of war and strive for lasting peace.

Takeaways

• 😀 The poem 'Will It Be So Again' by Cecil D. Lewis is part of the IB Poetry syllabus for 2023-2025.
• 😀 The lesson encourages students to engage with the poem on their own, ensuring that they can explain, identify poetic devices, and analyze the poem independently.
• 😀 The poem reflects the futility and destructive nature of war, emphasizing the repeated sacrifice of young men for the benefit of political leaders.
• 😀 Cecil D. Lewis was an Irish poet and political activist, known for his anti-war stance, and served as the British poet laureate from 1968 to 1972.
• 😀 The poem's structure consists of five quintains, framed by rhetorical questions to highlight the cyclical nature of war and its impact on society.
• 😀 The rhetorical questions in the poem convey the speaker's frustration with the recurring cycles of war, where young soldiers are sacrificed by politicians who avoid the consequences.
• 😀 The poem uses harsh rhythm and rhyme to underscore the bitter tone, reflecting the speaker's deep dissatisfaction with how war is treated by society.
• 😀 The speaker calls on future generations to question war, hold leaders accountable, and avoid falling into the cycle of conflict without learning from past mistakes.
• 😀 The poem critiques the superficial nature of tributes like poppy wreaths for fallen soldiers, suggesting they are hollow gestures that fail to change the cycle of war.
• 😀 The poem concludes with a call for the living to hold leaders accountable for their promises of peace, stressing that only the living can prevent future wars from happening.

Q & A

What is the central theme of the poem 'Will It Be So Again' by Cecil D. Lewis?

The central theme of the poem is the futility and repetitive nature of war. It critiques the cycles of conflict where young men are sacrificed while politicians and leaders avoid the consequences of their actions, benefiting from the wars they instigate.

How does the poet describe the soldiers who die in wars?

The poet describes the soldiers as 'brave' and 'gifted,' highlighting their potential and the tragedy of their untimely deaths. They are compared to seeds, whose sacrifice should lead to growth, but whose deaths are ultimately wasted as society fails to learn from them.

What role do the politicians play in the poem's critique of war?

The politicians are portrayed as 'empty scheming men' who instigate wars for personal gain but do not fight in them. They send young men to die, reaping the benefits without facing the consequences, which perpetuates the cycle of war.

What rhetorical device does the poet use to emphasize the cyclical nature of war?

The poet uses rhetorical questions, particularly the repeated phrase 'Will it be so again?' to emphasize the endless repetition of war. This device underscores the frustration of the speaker and highlights the futility of humanity's inability to break the cycle.

What does the poet mean by 'peace with no heart or mind to ensure it'?

This phrase critiques the superficial nature of peace, suggesting that political leaders only offer temporary and insincere peace. There is no true effort or moral commitment to ensuring lasting peace, which inevitably leads to further conflict.

How does the poet use the metaphor of 'seeds' in the poem?

The poet compares fallen soldiers to seeds, implying that their sacrifice should lead to growth and new life. However, the speaker argues that society is 'too slow in claiming the Earth they quicken,' meaning the lessons from these sacrifices are ignored, and the cycle of war continues.

Why does the poet criticize the 'poppy wreath' in the poem?

The 'poppy wreath' is seen as a hypocritical gesture of tribute for the dead soldiers. While the wreath symbolizes remembrance, the poet suggests that it is an empty gesture, as it does nothing to prevent future wars or address the real causes of conflict.

What is the significance of the phrase 'old usurpers' in the poem?

The phrase 'old usurpers' refers to the political leaders who claim power without having any rightful authority. These individuals are seen as exploiting the sacrifice of soldiers for their own gain, perpetuating war without experiencing its consequences.

What message does the poet convey about the role of the living in preventing future wars?

The poet urges the living to hold political leaders accountable for their promises of peace. The final lines of the poem suggest that the living, not the dead, must ensure that the promise of no more war is upheld, implying that it is up to future generations to break the cycle of conflict.

How does the poem relate to historical context, particularly in terms of Cecil D. Lewis's life and political views?

The poem reflects Lewis's anti-war sentiment, which was influenced by his experiences during the World Wars and his disillusionment with political ideologies, especially communism. The poem critiques the destructive nature of war and the exploitation of soldiers, echoing his belief in the need for peace and accountability from leaders.