The Trench Poets of Modernism

Origins and Characteristics The First World War (1914-18) gave rise to war poetry. Poets who wrote about the war and its horrors, especially in the trenches, are called the War Poets or Trench Poets. War poetry continued the tradition of Georgian poetry, characterized by an escape from actuality. Example: E. W. Tennant describes soldiers in "Home Thoughts in Laventie" as "Dancing with a measured step from wrecked and shattered town. Away upon the Downs." Approach and Style Trench Poets viewed the horrors of war as a mere dream and considered the world of imagination as the only reality. Following the Georgian tradition, they described incidents of war and the simple men caught in the catastrophe. Their method was descriptive and impressionistic, lacking intense, sincere, and realistic approaches, thus failing to evoke the desired emotions in readers. Notable Poets Siegfried Sassoon Initially part of the Georgian group but shifted to a satiric and rebellious mood. Believed sold…