The Soldier Flashcards
Title (The Soldier)
The title suggests an anonymous soldier and perhaps reflects how many soldiers were to lose their lives in battle.
Hypothetical opening (Soldier)
“If I should die”
There is an acceptance that he may die, but this is viewed as a sacrifice he is willing to make.
Not England is England (Soldier)
“foreign field//That is forever earth England”
The first mention of his country and his pride in fighting for her - that he represents her, even in death. The adjective ‘foreign’ suggests how far from home he is and how strange the environment feels compared to England.
England is Female???? (Soldier)
“whom England bore, shaped, made aware”
Here he uses personification to personify England - she is almost his mother, who raised him and nurtured him.
The beauty of England (Soldier)
“Washed by the rivers, blest by the suns of home” and “her flowers to love, her ways to roam”
Imagery here suggests the beauty of England - her “flowers” and her “rivers”. He uses almost religious verbs like “blest” suggests she is his benefactor, his protector.
Death and Evil of war (Soldier)
“all evil shed away” and “A pulse in the eternal mind”
The use of the adjective “evil” is perhaps an implied reference to the horrors of war and the cruelty mankind is capable of. The second quote suggests that in death he almost becomes part of the universe, he achieves some form of immortality.
In Heaven (Soldier)
“In hearts at peace under an English heaven”
Deaath brings peace and comfort and he can die in the knowledge if a life well spent and sacridiced appropriately to help protect a nation that is so important and righteous - even heaven reflects its value.
