Book: Memorial Tablet

Introduction
"Memorial Tablet" is a poem written by Siegfried Sassoon in 1919, following completion of World War I. Sassoon, who was both a soldier and a poet during the war, is best known for his stark and reasonable representation of the scaries dealt with by soldiers in the trenches. His poetry is typically defined by its juxtaposition of pastoral charm and the ruthless reality faced by young soldiers. "Memorial Tablet" is a powerful and poignant evocation of the human cost of the war, as it explores the deep sense of loss and the long lasting impacts on those left. To totally comprehend and appreciate the depth of the poem's significance, it is necessary to examine its numerous themes and images, together with the historic context in which it was composed.

Historical Context
The First World War is frequently referred to as a critical duration in world history, shaping the cultural, political, and social landscape of the early 20th century. The mass conscription of young men from all strolls of life had an extensive effect on British society, as traditional class barriers were interfered with and a whole generation was exposed to the horrors of mechanized warfare. Amidst the international trauma of the conflict, the disillusionment with the established structures of power and the romantic perfects of heroism led to the introduction of a new form of war poetry, grounded in the visceral and painful experiences of soldiers.

Siegfried Sassoon was one such poet, similarly disillusioned by the reality of the war and worried by the lack of understanding on the house front. As both an officer and an infantryman, Sassoon was in a special position to attest to the conflict and the suffering of those captured in it. His poetry ended up being a way to process his wartime experiences and share them with those who had not been on the cutting edge.

Main Themes and Imagery
"Memorial Tablet" explores the impact of the war on those left behind, who are struggling to come to terms with the loss of their liked ones and attempting to preserve their memory in the form of bronze plaques. The poem is written in the voice of a dead soldier, speaking from beyond the grave as an embodiment of the human cost of the dispute.

The poem is significant for its intense focus on a single, seemingly mundane object-- a memorial plaque. Yet, it is through this things that Sassoon communicates the enormity of the catastrophe. The plaque itself is a symbol of remembrance, a testament to the sacrifice made by those who offered their lives in the service of their nation. The opening lines of the poem show this effective symbolism, as the soldier declares, "Squire nagged and bullied up until I went to fight/ (Under Lord Derby's scheme). I passed away in hell -/ (They called it Passchendaele)".

At the same time, the plaque also serves as an indictment of the society that sent these young men to their deaths, questioning the worth of the sacrifices made and the meaningless titles bestowed upon them. The concentrate on the squire, an agent of the upper class, illustrates how the values and priorities of specific sectors of society played a big part in supporting the war.

Sassoon's usage of the expression "I passed away in hell" successfully records the sense of desolation and alienation felt by the soldier. This contrasts dramatically with the romantic suitables often connected with war, as the bleakness of the landscape and the utter neglect for human life is impossible to fix up with such suitables.

Conclusion
"Memorial Tablet" by Siegfried Sassoon is a powerful expedition of the human expense of war and the complex emotions experienced by those left behind. Through its focus on a single image, the memorial plaque, Sassoon masterfully conveys the gaping chasm in between the romantic suitables of war and the brutal truth of the front lines. As such, it remains a powerful testament to the power of poetry as a means of bearing witness and offering voice to those who suffered in silence.