GCSE Anthology Poetry - Conflict- Futility

FUTILITY, by Wilfred Owen

1) The poem is about an injured, probably dead, soldier.

2) It's set in France during the First World War.

3) The poet questions what the point is of life being created if it can be destroyed so easily.

Form: The poet mainly uses half rhyme (e.g. "seeds" and "sides") rather than full rhyme, which makes the poem seem less formal and more conversational.

Structure: Each stanza begins with a command. The first stanza is a practical instruction about how to help the soldier. In the second stanza the language becomes more philosophical as the poet considers whether creation is worthwhile when life can be…