the soldier

Question 1

author

Answer 1

rupert brooke

Question 2

context

Answer 2

written during the start of ww1 to encourage patriotism

Question 3

structure

Answer 3

• sonnet form

- constant rhyme, rhythmic, as if it doesn’t concern a serious subject matter

Question 4

paragraph 1

Answer 4

• soldiers presented as strong and fearless, willing to sacrifice themselves
• ‘if i should die, think only this of me’ - imperative, is ready to die, certainty, acceptance of death, controlling his legacy
• ‘some corner of a foreign field that is for ever england ‘ - belittling the other country, dismissive tone of ‘some corner’ contradicts ‘forever england’, has won land through sacrifice
• poem is full of alliteration, lyrical, pleasant sounding, unlike the subject matter, avoiding any harshness

Question 5

paragraph 2

Answer 5

• importance of patriotism, jingoism, nationalism etc
• ‘richer dust’ - his own flesh, even when dead he represents his country
• ‘her flowers to love’ - nature imagery, personified, patriotism seen as natural
• ‘body of england’s’ - product of his country
• ‘sights and sounds’, ‘laughter learnt’ - alliteration creates a sense of unity