Reconstructing a poem by Wilfred Owen
1. Wilfred Owen wrote at least four drafts of the poem you have been given to look at.
The words and phrases in the boxes on the right were some of the words which Owen
changed during the redrafting process. Create your own version of the poem by filling
the gaps with the word or phrase from the boxes on the right which you feel works
best. When choosing the word or phrase to fill each gap you will need to consider:
 the sound of the word or phrase on its own, as part of the line and relation to the
rhyme and rhythm of the poem as a whole
 the meaning and connotations of the word or phrase in relation to the rest of the
poem
 the effect of the word or phrase on the reader.
2. When you are satisfied with your version of the poem copy it out and compare it with
others in your group.
3. Write a detailed commentary accounting for your choices.
4. Now look at Owen’s final version of the poem. How does it compare to your version?
5. Read the extract from Regeneration which is in your anthology. In this extract Pat
Barker is imagining a conversation between Wilfred Owen and the poet Siegfried
Sassoon who became a good friend of Owen after their meeting at Craiglockhart, a
hospital for soldiers who were considered to be suffering from ‘shell-shock’ during
WW1. Does this extract add to your understanding of the poem you have been working
on? Make a list of Owen’s alterations and reasons for these to which Barker refers.
This free resource was found at www.teachit.co.uk.
anthem
Copyright  2000 Teachit
Page 1 of 2
Reconstructing a poem by Wilfred Owen
Anthem for .........(1).......... Youth
Dead
1.
Doomed
2.
passing
3.
so fast
4.
monstrous solemn
5.
our
6.
rapid rattle
7.
their
8.
mockeries
9.
you
minute
in herds as cattle
What ......(2)..... bells for these who die ......(3).......?
-
Only the ........(4).........anger of .......(5).......guns
Only the stuttering rifles’ ...............(6)...................
the
more
rattled words
your
Can patter out ........(7)........... hasty orisons
No .......(8)........ for ....(9)....
................(10)................
music
chants
them
nor wreaths, nor asphodels
10.
from prayers or bells
11.
wail
12.
demented
Nor any voice of mourning, save the .......(11).........
The shrill .........(12).......... choirs of wailing shells
choirs
nor wreaths, nor bells
shells
demonic disconsolate
sad across the shires
And bugles calling ...............(13)..............
What candles may ....(14).......to.........(15)..............?
13.
for them from sad shires for you from sad shires
14.
be held
15.
speed them all light these lost?
16.
holy glimmers
Not in the hands of boys, but in their eyes
we hold
holy gleams
speed you all
many candles
holy lights
Shall shine the ........(16)........... of .........(17)............
17.
goodbyes
our goodbyes long goodbyes their goodbyes
The pallor of girls’ .....(18)....... shall be .....(19)........ pall
18.
cheeks
19.
your
brow
Their flowers the tenderness of ........(20)........ minds
And .......(21)...........dusk, a drawing-down of blinds
20.
21.
This free resource was found at www.teachit.co.uk.
anthem
their
silent
patient
mortal
all men’s
comrades
rough men’s
each slow
every
Copyright  2000 Teachit
Page 2 of 2