Introduction and Preface Summary

The book begins with an introduction written by C. Day Lewis. Lewis first explains that while Wilfred Owen was a competent poet before the beginning of World War I, he seemed to mature almost immediately under the stress of combat. Lewis maintains that of all the poets to emerge from the war, Owen was the most important for Lewis' generation.

Next, Lewis gives a brief biography of Owen. Owen is born to middle class parents in Oswestry, England in 1893. Although Owen's parents are not rich, they are cultured and exposed Owen to art, literature, and music, with Owen learning the piano. Owen is always extremely close to his mother in his youth and his letters to her are the most common. Although Owen is usually not considered very well read, Lewis argues that considering his age and monetary situation...