The main topic of both poems written by Denise Levertov is war, however said theme is portrayed in a unique way.
In 'Life At War', Levertov depicts war as the most terrible event to ever take place. Her choice of wording the poem really creates an impact, the poem begins with 'disasters numb within us' implying she feels powerless and a slave to situation, throughout the poem she uses glum phrases such as 'lumps of raw daugh' and 'formless lumps'.
However in 'Overheard Over S.E Asia' the tone of the poem is bright and the situation is portrayed in a lighter manner. She uses phrases such as 'rich seas', 'bamboo thickets' and 'whisper of sequins' all of these awake feelings of peace with the word.
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The excerpt from "Going Back to School" that adds to the theme that being unhappy in a particular situation can make one feel imprisoned is: The boat ploughed on. Now Alcatraz was past And all the grey waves flamed to red again At the dead sun's last glimmer.
<h3>What is the theme of a text?</h3>
The theme of a text is the central idea in the text. The theme that being unhappy in a particular situation can make one feel imprisoned is seen in the fact that despite being away from Alcatraz, the grey waves were like hot flames for the unhappy speaker.
He felt imprisoned because of his unhappy situation.
Learn more about the theme of a text here:
brainly.com/question/11600913