“Intensities” : the sensory dimensions of the poetry of the Great War

Abstract

This paper provides an analysis on the topic of the senses as represented in a selection of the poetry of the First World War. Drawing from sensory studies, cultural studies and close reading, this paper aims to expand the existing corpus of research into the poetry of the Great War by introducing an approach that leans on second-hand sensory data, or ‘sensory impressions’, in the poetry, through which the sensory and experiential dimension of the War can be better understood. Aiming for a balanced approach, the corpus of poetry chosen as subject for analysis encompasses not only prominent soldier-poets, but also certain home front poets. In particular, this paper focuses on the aspect of excessive sensory stimuli as told by these poets, and the effect of these stimuli on the human sensorium, psyche and body.