The Soldier Flashcards
Introduction
In his poem, The Soldier, Brooke romanticises the prospect of dying for one’s country, implying this act of martyrdom and self-sacrifice is a true honour and will be considered the ultimate act of heroism. Brooke promotes patriotism, implying that all men are indebted to their country and should sacrifice themselves to preserve it. By personifying England as a woman and through his frequent references to religion, Brooke implies fighting for your country is both a masculine and Christian responsibility, putting pressure on other young men to enlist and do their duty. Brooke’s own patriotic fervour is reinforced through his decision to adopt the sonnet form, which is conventionally associated with the theme of love. However, Brooke actually never experience front-line combat as he died in 1915 after contacting blood poisoning from a mosquito bite when sailing for Gallipoli with the British Mediterranean Expeditionary Force. Given Brooke’s inexperience with the realities of war, his stance could be considered naïve, idealistic and informed. As such, his poetry is often seen in the context of the early part of the First World War: a time when literature was characterised by Patriotic fervour not yet eroded by the Ling years of trench warfare that followed.
The soldier
- creates a sense of prestige and emphasises the speakers pride in his military rank and contributions to the war effort
through the ambiguity of the determiner “the” he makes it easier to generalise the experience of the men suggesting that they all had the same experience, and are therefore all worthy of honour and respect
If i should die think only this of me
- opening line creates a tone of acceptance as he believes that family and friends should seek comfort in the knowledge that the sacrificed lives are for the greater good of the country.
Despite recognising his death a possibility he fails to consider that his death could be in vain futile squandering, as the victory of England is not inevitable. This is symbolic of how deeply influenced he had become by the propaganda circulating at the time
Foreign field that is forever England
Alliterative phrase…creates a serene and tranquil tone which juxtaposes he harshness of war, suggesting that he romantisches the prospect of dying as a martyr, and claiming enemy territory as english land, suggesting he sees himself as an extension of England.
‘England’
Repetition emphasies that he is deeply motivated by patriotism. Clear degree of naivety in his perspective as he overlooks th Pein and suffering. Involved in dying for ones country. Futhermore despite recognising his death a possibility he fails to consider that his death could be in vain futile squandering, as the victory of England is not inevitable. This is symbolic of how deeply influenced he had become by the propaganda circulating at the time
In that rich earth a richer earth concealed
‘Richer’ implies his contribution will be valued and respected
He makes no reference to the pain and suffering endured due t war and skips to the prospect of dying for ones country as an act of martyrdom and heroism
Dust whom England bore, shaped, made aware
The phrase…personifies England as a maternal figure who has contributed greatly to his upbringing and personal development, as conveyed through the list of adjectives. By personifying England as a female figure, Brooke appeals to the societal expectations of masculinity, promoting the view that men are responsible for protecting and defending women. He also suggests through the verb ‘bore’ the England has given birth to him, and as such he feels indebted in return to keep her safe.
‘Washed by rivers, blest by suns of home’
He presents death as a paradisiacal and idyllic through the imagery in …
The verb ‘washed’ implies he sees sacrificing as a purifying
This heart, all evil shed away
Suggests that his martyrdom will cleanse him of all his sins and therefore guarantee him a place in english heaven. This religious imagery conveys his confidence in being rewarded for his sacrifice in the afterlife, which perhaps makes death seem like a less daunting prospect
Suns of home
Creates a sense of comfort and security, while the word ‘blest’ reiterates he will be made holy and consecrated after death.
Sights and sounds, dreams happy as the day
At the end of the poem he creates an Image of a joyful victorious England restored to its former glory. This emphasises he believes that his death will have a meaningful impact in terms of ending the war. This optimism stems from his engagement with the propaganda circulating at the time, paired with his inexperience of war given that he never engaged in active service in spite of his enlistment to the army.
