Author Description
Wilfred Owen, one of the finest poets of World War I, was also one of its most-mourned casualties. The poet was survived not only by the verse upon which his reputation is founded, but also by the thousands of letters he wrote from the age of five to the eve of his death at the age of twenty-five. Selected Letters of Wilfred Owen includes some early examples, but concentrates on the correspondence of the poet's last seven years--the period in which he came into his own as an artist.
Menrva's Summary
THE THESIS
This collection investigates the personal evolution and artistic development of Wilfred Owen through his private correspondence during the final seven years of his life. The author, a prominent World War I poet, provides a primary source record that documents his transition from a young man to a mature artist amidst the backdrop of global conflict. These letters serve as a biographical framework, offering insight into the experiences and observations that informed his celebrated war poetry.
THE SCOPE MAP
What You Will Find
- Personal correspondence spanning from childhood to the eve of his death at age twenty-five
- Detailed accounts of the poet's experiences during the First World War
- Documentation of the creative process and intellectual growth of a major literary figure
Scope Limits
- Does not include the entirety of his correspondence, focusing primarily on the final seven years
- Does not provide a formal critical biography, relying instead on the raw text of the letters
THE AUTHORITY PERSPECTIVE
Scholars and literary critics frequently cite this collection as a vital resource for understanding the biographical context of Owen's war poetry. Readers often note the stark contrast between the poet's intimate personal voice and the visceral imagery found in his published verse.
Page Count:
300
Publication Date:
1986-03-06
Publisher:
Oxford University Press
ISBN-10:
0192819143
ISBN-13:
9780192819147
Biography
Non-Fiction
History
Poetry
Letters
World War
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