“Ignorance is bliss.” The verse of Thomas Gray's poem, Ode on a Distant Prospect of Eton College, published in 1747, has endured through the ages due to its ubiquitous applicability. This is especially evident in the public's view of warfare before World War II. Before images and news of the world wars were publicized, the U.S. home front saw no problem in going to war. All they had heard from the war was touting success. However, some people, such as the poets Carl Sandburg and Nan Braymer, knew the true brutality of war. In Buttons and Five Day Requiem for Vietnam, Sandburg and Braymer both use aggressive diction and imagery to represent different themes; Buttons creates the theme that people often ignore unpleasant things, and Five Day Requiem for Vietnam creates the theme that loss of control can lead to anger. Buttons' aggressive diction reflects attitudes towards war during the First World War. In this By time, images and information about the brutality of war were just reaching the public, but most paid no attention. Sandburg says the buttons, representing soldiers, were "pushed" on the map, showing that people were unaware of the evidence of war. If the people at home knew what the soldiers were going through for them, they would be more respectful of the buttons. Even the way the map was “slammed” on the board outside the newsstand did not show it the recognition and respect it deserves. Since people did not understand the unpleasant events of the First World War, they did not show due respect for the map and buttons. Similarly, Braymer uses aggressive diction in Five Day Requiem for Vietnam to express the anger that the fighting soldiers... ... middle of paper ...... imagery devices and aggressive diction, Sandburg and Braymer both create different themes. Sandburg uses devices to convey that people often ignore what is unpleasant to hear, and Braymer conveys the theme that loss of control can lead to anger. Even though the poems were written about World War I and Vietnam, the themes created are still present in human nature today. There is always a problem that people choose to ignore instead of working to improve it, and there will always be people who rail against manipulation. This reveals how, even with social developments, human nature will never truly change. Works Cited "Carl Sandburg Poems - Buttons". Poems by Carl Sandburg - Buttons. Andyy Barr Productions, 1998. Web. 04 November 2013. "Voice Education Project." Nan Braymer: Five Day Requiem for Vietnam. Marilyn Turkovich and Web. 04 November. 2013.