Alliteration: Alliteration is the repetition of consonant sounds in the same line in quick succession.

For example, the sound of /l/ in “The shrill, demented choirs of wailing shells.”

Consonance: Consonance is the repetition of consonant sounds in the same line.For example, the sound of /o/ in “No mockeries now for them no prayers nor bells” and “Only the monstrous anger of the guns.” Assonance: Assonance is the repetition of vowel sounds in the same line.The analysis of some of the literary devices used in this poem has been given below. Wilfred Owen has also employed some literary devices in this poem to express his ideas. Literary devices are tools used by writers and poets to convey their emotions, feelings, and ideas to the readers. Analysis of Literary Devices Used in “Anthem for Doomed Youth” Their families can only cry on the news of their death. Instead of bells and prayers, sounds of guns, fires, and shells are heard after their death. However, the soldiers do not have that privilege. Usually, at funerals for the dead, the bells ring, and prayers are offered. They are killed like animals during the wars. The readers must realize how soldiers sacrifice their lives to defend their country, but the civilians honor their deaths. The poet paints a realistic picture of the battleground. Major Themes in “Anthem for Doomed Youth”: Horrors of war, death, and suffering are the major themes of this poem.Only girls with their pale faces who could be their mother, girlfriend, or close kin put flowers. The poet expresses his agony as he recalls that nobody lights up the candles for their memorial. Although they fight tirelessly, they get no mourning sounds and cremation. Instead, both sides of soldiers receive anger of the guns and rifles. They never receive any formal ceremonies to honor their death.

The poet sadly states nobody rings the bells for those who die like cattle on the battlefield. The poem begins with the awful deaths of the soldiers. “Anthem for Doomed Youth” As a Representative of Death: The poem presents the speaker’s sadness and agony on the loss of lives during the war.One of the notable aspects of the poem is the poet’s rejection of God and religion after seeing suffering around him. They do not have anyone to give them proper burial after their sacrifice. It explains how the soldiers die helplessly on the battlefield. The poem speaks about the death of soldiers either in the Battle of Somme or Passchendaele.

It is one of the tragic sonnets also known as a funeral dedication for soldiers in the First World War.

Popularity of “Anthem for Doomed Youth”: Wilfred Owen, a well-known British poet wrote this poem.

Anthem for doomed youth by wilfred owen