How Solemn as One by One

Question 1

Themes.

Answer 1

• the strength of the human soul - the speaker in the poem acknowledges the strength of the human soul which is not crushed by the brutalities of war
• war - the speaker lauds the strength of the soldiers & indirectly points to the futility of war as the soldiers are solemn, possibly over the fallen brethren who have lost their lives

Question 2

Ezra Greenspan; significance of “masks”

Answer 2

“Whitman overtly meant to indicate that it is always the INDWELLING SPIRIT THAT CONSTITUTES ESSENTIAL IDENTITY, & not external features & manners.”

Question 3

“one by one” is an example of what technique?

Answer 3

• diacope
• emphasises the individual soldiers
• recognises the individual efforts of each one

Question 4

“worn and sweaty” appearance of soldiers

Answer 4

• indicates the arduous tasks that soldiers have committed themselves to
• acknowledges soldiers’ physical efforts

Question 5

Tone.

Answer 5

• sombre, bleak, funereal

Question 6

“As the ranks […] As the faces […] As I glance” is an example of which technique? What does it emphasise?

Answer 6

• anaphora
• mirrors consistency in the pace of the steady march

Question 7

Repetition of the words “faces” & “masks”

Answer 7

• draws readers’ attention to the soldiers’ expressions
• highlights how soldiers hide their true feelings & self behind a mask which they have put on during the duration of the war - one that they may still be wearing as they return

Question 8

“the bullet could never kill what you really are” & “Nor the bayonet stab what you really are”

Answer 8

• repetition of the phrases “bullet could never kill” & “Nor the bayonet stab”
• reiterates the strength of the human soul that will overcome the adversities of war

Question 9

“The soul! yourself I see, great as any, good as the best, // Waiting secure & content”

Answer 9

• two exclamations
• draws readers’ attention to the soul associated with positive adjectives
• highlights speakers’ belief that human beings are intrinsically good/faith in humanity

Question 10

Line 4: “(As I glance upward out of this page studying you, dear friend, whoever you are,)” is an example of what technique?

Answer 10

• Parenthetical statement
• The speaker digresses momentarily.
• Uses 2nd-person to address both readers & individual soldiers.

Question 11

“The soul! yourself I see, great as any, good as the best, Waiting secure and content!”

Answer 11

• Two exclamations
• Draws attention to the soul associated with positive adjectives
• Acknowledges the strength of the human soul which is not crushed by the brutality of war