Flag Flashcards
Outlive the blood you bleed - plosive “b” sound indicates bitter tone. Scrutinises actions of warfare, outlasting the lives of those who die.
Regular rhyme scheme and structure. Rhetorical question start of each stanza.
“Just a piece of cloth” - “just” demeans and belittles any value - language relegates meaning and values. Repetition enforces message, answering rhetorical q - on the purpose and meaning of conflict
That brings a nation to its knees - metaphor, shows subservience to conflict, lack of will and freedom, no rational reason to fight
Narrative perspective, wise man answering rhetorical questions, suggests authority in voice - further raises questions when belittles meaning of flag, forcing the reader to consider the purpose of conflict.