The Charge Of The Light Brigrade Flashcards
Who is the poet?
Alfred lords Tennyson
What is the context of this poem?
Public doubt as to why Britain was involved in a war with Russia. Light Brigade were a group of higher social class soldiers who didn’t get involved in battles their aim was mop up defeated opponents. The Light Brigade was brought in to protect the heavy guns which were being stolen by the retreating Russian army. The Light Brigade was torn to pieces by enemy gunfire. Many saw this as a tragic and futile mission.
What form is the poem in?
Ballad a historic form of poetry which was often sung. A refrain which is like a chorus is repeated through the poem “six hundred”. Ballards were associated with important tales and history things that should not be forgotten. The Ballard form therefore suggests that the Charge of the Light Brigade bravery should never be forgotten by the future generations. Equally Tennyson wanted people to never forget the stupidity of the aristocratic leadership which led to so many deaths.
Why is the poet use dactylic dimeter?
Tennyson use dactylic dimeter to create awe at the bravery of the soldiers. This helps the reader fully appreciate the bravery of the soldiers and make the reader feel as though they where there at the battlefield with the soldiers. The dactylic dimeter also reflects the soldiers on their horse would of started off slowly then speeding up. Dactylic dimeter also add energy and pace to the poem. The falling rhythm of the poem with two unstressed syllables following a stressed syllable reflects the falling soldiers.
Which line of the poem does not fit into the structure of the dactylic dimeter?
“Someone had blundered” the word “blundered” falls short of the rule. Tennyson does this to make a point, he wanted to emphasize the “blunder” of leadership which led to death of so many soldiers. The word “blunder “ also mean stupid or careless mistakes. This very deliberate break in the rule by the poet subtly draws the attention of the reader on his disgust of cause of the fatalities.
Where and why does Tennyson use biblical imagery?
“Valley of death” shows the bravery of the soldiers.
Why does Tennyson repeat the word “theirs”?
Tennyson use of repetition in the word “theirs” shows the order and obedience of Victorian society towards hierarchy. Tennyson is highlighting the absence of individual freedom of the soldiers.
Explain the ambiguous line “all the world wondered”?
The positive analysis of the line could mean that everyone was awestruck by the bravery of the soldiers. However the word “wonder” could also mean to question so the line could be interpreted s being the whole world questions how such a stupid mistake could be made.
How does Tennyson create the sense of sound?
Tennyson creates the sense of sound through use of words “thundered”,”shattered”, “sundered” and “blundered”. This creates a drum like beat when the poem is read aloud. Also the repetition of the ‘ered’ in each word sounds like ‘err’ which could show the error that was made by the leaders this is subtle but noticeable criticism by Tennyson. The word “wondered” could be seen as positive and negative ‘won’, ‘erred’ the won being the pride of the soldiers and ‘erred’ showing the pointless death of so many.
