Question 1: Read the opening lines: 'Our brains ache, and we hunger, and we drink and we see / The mad gusts tugging on the wire.' What do these words suggest about the soldiers' physical and mental state?

Answer: They suggest exhaustion, hunger, thirst, and mental strain, conveying the soldiers' suffering and fatigue in the harsh conditions of war.

Question 2: Identify and explain the effect of the metaphor in lines: 'The snow is like a white blanket, the wind like a knife.'

Answer: The snow metaphor emphasizes coldness and harshness, while the wind as a knife highlights pain and danger, creating a vivid, sensory image of the environment.

Question 3: What is the significance of the repeated phrase 'But nothing happens' in the poem? How does it affect the tone?

Answer: It emphasizes the stagnation and senselessness of war, contributing to a tone of despair and frustration that the soldiers endure.

Question 4: Quote Explosion: Analyze the line 'For the love of God, seems dying.' Focus on the word 'dying' and its impact.

Answer: The word 'dying' emphasizes the soldiers' vulnerability and the threat of death, evoking sympathy and emphasizing the brutal reality of war.

Question 5: Explore how Owen uses personification in the poem. Provide an example and interpret its effect.

Answer: An example is 'Gusts tugging on the wire,' where wind is given human-like strength, emphasizing the hostile environment and the soldiers’ powerlessness.

Question 6: Identify the theme of nature in the poem. How does Owen portray nature's role in the soldiers' experience?

Answer: Nature is depicted as indifferent and hostile, with elements like wind and snow intensifying the soldiers' suffering and emphasizing the harshness of their environment.

Question 7: Compare the portrayal of suffering in 'Exposure' with that in 'My Last Duchess.' How do both poems explore emotional pain?

Answer: Both poems depict suffering—Owen through physical and mental hardship in war, and Browning through possessiveness and control. Each explores how suffering affects individuals' emotions and perceptions.

Question 8: Identify and analyze the use of repetition in the poem. How does it reinforce the overall message?

Answer: Repetition of phrases like 'But nothing happens' emphasizes the ongoing, futile suffering, reinforcing the themes of hopelessness and stagnation.

Question 9: Develop an outline for an essay comparing 'Exposure' with another Power and Conflict poem that discusses the theme of conflict.

Answer: Introduction: Both poems explore the devastating effects of conflict. 'Exposure' depicts the physical and mental toll of war on soldiers; another poem (e.g., 'Ozymandias') explores conflict through the theme of power and its impermanence. Body Paragraphs: Analyze language devices and structure; compare how each poem presents suffering and the consequences of conflict. Conclusion: Reflect on the poets' intentions to evoke empathy and critique the nature of conflict.