Charge Of The Light Brigade

Question 1

What was Alfred Lord Tennyson communicating about conflict?

Answer 1

Patriotism of those who fight in war

Brutality & dangers of battlefield

Question 2

What is the structure of the poem? What effect does this create?

Answer 2

Longer stanzas mixed with shorter stanzas

Mimics charge of light brigade by getting faster, then slowing down

Question 3

What are the techniques used in the poem? What effect do these have?

Answer 3

Metaphor - “Valley of death” - evokes aura of bravery towards soldiers
Metaphor/personification - “mouth of hell” - emphasises dreadful & definite fate of LB despite bravery
“Not the six hundred” - acts as reminder of tragic events despite bravery

Question 4

What is the rhythm & rhyme used in the poem? What effect do these have?

Answer 4

Ballad quatrain opens poem

Rhyme scheme irregular, but mono rhymes often seen - imitates charge, as there’s DUM-DA-DA rhythm seen in poem

Question 5

What are is the imagery used in the poem? What effect do these have?

Answer 5

“Volleyed and thundered” - auditory - shows how vicious gun & cannon fire was, reflects sound of attack & gives auto dimension for reader
“Cannon to right of them/Cannon to left of them” - helps reader vividly visualise danger soldiers were in

Question 6

What is the vocabulary used in the poem? What effect do these have?

Answer 6

“Plunged” - gives reader impression of chaos & danger as soldiers surrounded
“Honour” - calls reader to remember great bravery of LB & celebrate them, not mistake that killed them, engages reader