comparison: the soldier and dulce

Question 1

how is the theme of war presented in these poems (3x key ideas)

Answer 1

• glorification of war vs horror of war
• portrayal of soldier’s experience
• both talk about sacrifice for the country

Question 2

glorification of war vs horror of war quotes for the soldier

Answer 2

• england bore, shaped, made aware
• washed by the rivers, blest by suns of home
• in hearts at peace under and english heaven

Question 3

glorification of war vs horror of war analysis of these quotes:
- england bore, shaped, made aware
- washed by the rivers, blest by suns of home
- in hearts at peace under and english heaven

Answer 3

• England bore, shaped, made aware
  England is personified as a woman and a nurturing mother, reinforcing the personas deep sense of loyalty and duty to defend and protect her, the succession of verbs (‘bore, shaped, made aware’, suggests an active maternal role, elevating England beyond a mere homeland and instead presents it as a force of creation and guidance.
• Washed by the rivers, blest by suns of home
  Ends the octet with ‘home’ which emphasises the importance and love the persona has for England, ‘washed’ connotes to cleansing, an almost religious idea, suggesting that by partaking in war, the soldier will be ‘blest’. This elevates war to a sacred act, reinforcing Brooke’s idealistic view of sacrifice.
• In hearts at peace, under an English heaven
  Peace contrasts with the chaos of war, image of death suggests glory and righteousness. The heaven will be English because the soldier thinks of England as ‘heaven’, English heaven suggests that experiencing war, perhaps even dying for your country is the only way to reach ‘heaven’ and finally be at ‘peace’. This is ironic as Rubert Brooke romanticises dying for England, yet he never actively fought on the front line of war, and instead died in April 1915 after an infected mosquito bite.

Question 4

glorification of war vs horror of war quotes for dulce

Answer 4

• bent double, like old beggars under sacks
• gas shells dropping softly behind

Question 5

glorification of war vs horror of war analysis of these quotes:
- bent double, like old beggars under sacks
- gas shells dropping softly behind

Answer 5

• Bent double, like old beggars under sacks
  Uses a semantic field exhaustion to reject the traditional images of heroism in war poetry, simile emphasises how broken and weak war has left the soldiers, where the adjective ‘old’ implies loss of youth and ‘hags’ which takes away their masculinity- they are no longer themselves.
• Gas shells dropping softly behind
  Oxymoron, the use of ‘dropping softly’ contrasts with the violent and deadly nature of gas shells with an almost peaceful description, creates a disturbing sense of normalcy amidst chaos- they experience death as an everyday occurrence and thus are numb to it. Also, when coupled with ‘behind’ emphasises the unrelenting nature of warfare, as even though the soldiers attempt to move forward, violence is constantly pursuing, leaving no escape. This is especially relevant considering Owen died in battle a week before WW1 ended.

Question 6

portrayal of soldier’s experience quotes for the soldier

Answer 6

• if i should die think only this of me
• in rich earth a richer dust concealed
• the soldier (title)

Question 7

portrayal of soldier’s experience analysis of these quotes:
- if i should die think only this of me
- in rich earth a richer dust concealed
- the soldier (title)

Answer 7

• If I should die, think only this of me
  First person imperative, suggests an acceptance of death, presenting the soldiers as willing to die for their country which undermines the effects of war on soldiers, ‘only’ suggests a rejection of pity for soldiers, as the speaker only wants to be remembered as part of a larger victory shaping it as a noble sacrifice rather than a tragedy. Alternatively, the absence of description of actual warfare suggests that the speaker only wants to focus on the positive impacts of fighting and creation of legacy rather than horrors faced by soldiers during battle
• In rich earth a richer dust concealed
  ‘Rich’ is a base adjective, but when coupled with ‘richer’ a positive comparative adjective, implies that being English is the best, it also conveys the idea that the soldier’s contribution, rooted in his English identity, transcends ordinary existence- even in death, he enhances the earth. Brooke’s choice of “concealed” adds a tone of quiet dignity suggesting a humble attitude of the soldier towards death
• Dreams happy as her day and laughter, learnt of friends; and gentleness
• The soldier (title)
  The definitive article ‘the’ suggest the ‘soldier’ is representing all soldiers- all their experiences are the same. It acts as propaganda poetry especially as it was published in 1915 by the Times Literary Supplement demonstrating the spirits of the country yet to experience the full impact of war.

Question 8

portrayal of soldier’s experience quotes for dulce

Answer 8

• in all my dreams, before my helpless sight
• guttering, choking, drowning

Question 9

portrayal of soldier’s experience analysis of these quotes:
- in all my dreams, before my helpless sight
- guttering, choking, drowning

Answer 9

• Helpless indicates the lack of power soldiers had as they were trapped in trench warfare, as well as being unable to save their fellow soldiers on the battlefield, alternatively helpless refers to the horrific use of mustard gas, where it was every man for themselves
• The stanza stands out emphasising the trauma the soldier has seen- he is powerless, the present continuous verb tense of ‘guttering, choking, drowning’ underscores how the event is repeatedly playing in the persona’s imagination- he cannot escape. This is highlighted by the repetition of ‘drowning’ from the previous stanza, rhyming with itself, emphasises how the soldier cannot get the image out of his mind. This could allude to Owen himself was diagnosed with shell shock (like many others), and was sent to Edinburgh for treatment.
• This can be seen through the poems form as well: it is almost like two English sonnets as well as a French ballade, which when combined suggest that war is powerfully disruptive- so much so that it disrupts language and poetry. Alternatively, it is a combination of English and French poetic forms in honour of the allies forces.

Question 10

both talk about sacrifice for the country quotes for the soldier

Answer 10

• that there’s some corner of a foreign field that is for ever england
• gives somewhere back the thoughts by england given

Question 11

both talk about sacrifice for the country analysis of these quotes:
- that there’s some corner of a foreign field that is for ever england
- gives somewhere back the thoughts by england given

Answer 11

• That there’s some corner of a foreign field that is for ever England
  Determiners ‘some’ and ‘a’ are unspecific- suggesting the persona prioritises the symbolic act of claiming ‘foreign’ soil as ‘forever England’ over the particular location, emphasising the soldier’s dedication to their national identity, also suggests imperialistic ideals, where the land is literally English because of victory in war, or figuratively- because his body is buried there, a part of England will remain there. This sacrifice contrasts with the irony of Brooke’s own burial in Skyros Greece, where his death failed to fulfil this symbolic ideal.
• Perfect sonnet form- reflects how perfect persona thinks England is, owes England the sacrifice- demonstrates love
• Gives somewhere back the thoughts by England given
• Suggests a gratitude to England as if the soldiers owe England

Question 12

both talk about sacrifice for the country quotes for dulce

Answer 12

• of vile incurable sores on innocent tongues
• the old Lie: Dulce et decorum est Pro patria mori

Question 13

both talk about sacrifice for the country analysis of these quotes:
- of vile incurable sores on innocent tongues
- the old Lie: Dulce et decorum est Pro patria mori

Answer 13

• The sores could be a metaphor for the government causing ‘incurable’ devastation to innocent young men as they advertise war as honourable. He incorporates a repulsive semantic field (‘vile, incurable, sores’) suggesting a deeply critical tone, which is used to dismiss the propaganda and pro-war views. This could link to Jessie Pope’s ‘Who’s for the game?’ propaganda poem which encouraged men to enlist, using rhetorical questions to persuade- or pressure- men to enlist.
  This idea is heightened when it says:
• The old Lie: Dulce et decorum est Pro patria mori
  The capital letter of ‘Lie’ suggests the idea of dying for your country as noble, has become so widespread in England that it takes on a tangible form. The fact that it is in Latin also makes it sound prestigious and traditional. However, the last line (‘pro patria mori’) is unexpectedly short, which could suggest that the attitude behind the phrase is responsible for soldiers’ lives ended abruptly. The use of Latin could also suggest that people don’t fully understand what they’ll face if they fight for their country. This is highlighted through the short lines of the poem, mirroring how the lives were ‘cut short’.