charge of the light brigade Flashcards
1
Q
symbolism of the dactylic metre
A
- gives poem the rhythm of a song or a ballot, to celebrate the heroic sacrifice made by the soldiers
2
Q
“the valley of death” analysis
A
- the phrase “Valley of Death” is an example of synecdoche, which is a figure of speech that uses a part of something to represent the whole. In this case, the “Valley of Death” stands in for the entire battlefield, emphasizing the extent of the danger and the magnitude of the sacrifice that the soldiers are making.
- The phrase “Valley of Death” also has religious connotations, as it is a reference to Psalm 23 in the Bible.” This adds a layer of depth and complexity to the metaphor, as it suggests that the soldiers are not just facing physical danger, but also spiritual and emotional challenges, and also suggests that even though they are mudering people, it isnt murder, as God is on their side
- further suggests that the souls of the dead solidiers will be accepted into heaven by God
3
Q
“half a league, half a league, half a league onward” analysis
A
- emphasises the danger that these soliders are in, slows down time, almost as if they’ll never get to the Russian guns
- repetition forces us to realise that their fate will most likely be death because they are also so exposed to the guns
- The use of the word “onward” at the end of the phrase further reinforces this sense of forward movement, and it suggests that the soldiers are determined to press on despite the danger and adversity that they face.
- The line follows a trochaic meter, which consists of a stressed syllable followed by an unstressed syllable (HALF a league, HALF a league, HALF a league). This meter, characterized by its strong and energetic rhythm, mimics the galloping hooves of the charging cavalry. It adds to the sense of urgency and movement in the poem. The galloping rhythm mimics the sound of horses’ hooves, symbolizing the soldiers’ courage and their willingness to face perilous situations head-on.
4
Q
“theirs but to do and die”
A
- second stanza
- “d” plosive sound reinforces the fact that death is inevitable
- and” highlights that death is certain, there is no way to escape
- even though they know they are going to die due to the unfair orders given by those in power, they still do it for their country
- The phrase also contains a sense of fatalism, as it suggests that the outcome of the battle is predetermined and that the soldiers have no control over their fate. The use of the word “theirs” emphasizes this idea, as it suggests that the soldiers are merely pawns in a larger game and that they have no agency or power of their own.
celebratory tone - Tennyson celebrating the heroic qualities that the soldiers possesed
5
Q
alternative subliminal interpretation - is Tennyson celebrating the heroes or attacking the society that expects this kind of sacrifice from its men
- use quote “while all the world wondered”
A
- disrupts the dactyls, because the world is distupted by this thought, and this thought is why are these men being sacrificed?
- “wondered” rhymes with “blundered”, emphasises the blundered, emphasises the number of men who are going to die
- could be suggesting that the soldiers sacrifice could be so glorious that when people hear it around the world, they celebrate what it is to be British, but at a deeper level, hes also leaving it as a question
- how could we fight this war against the Russians and sacrifice these “six hundred men for nothing?
6
Q
“while all
A
the world wondered”
7
Q
“honor the charge they made… noble six hundred”
A
- restores soldiers dignity
8
Q
“then they rode back, but not
A
not the six hundred
9
Q
then they rode back but not not the six hundred analysis
A
- anadiplosis - repetition of the final word in a line of a stanza onto the next, suggests shock and suddenness
- narrative of the refrain changes from valiant combat to tragic demise
- tone is however indifferent, as if the death of this 600 is mundane and everyday, reflecting the cold social expectations of wartime sacrifice
