The Soldier

Question 1

Start quote (1)

Answer 1

‘If I should die’ open the poem in a prayer like wait and suggest he wants to be remembered for fighting for his country

Question 2

Start quote (2)

Answer 2

‘Rich earth a richer dust concealed’ The Victorian view was that English, soil was richer than foreign soil. This also demonstrates that he believes England is superior to any other countries.

Question 3

Middle quote (1)

Answer 3

‘A dust whom England bore’ Brooke believes that England made him who he is today. England gave to him so he is now giving back

Question 4

Middle quote (2)

Answer 4

‘A pulse in the eternal mind’ By fighting and dying for your country or earthly evil will be shed away, therefore they’ll be remembered for the actions

Question 5

End quote (1)

Answer 5

‘Her sights and sounds’ Brooke personifies England as a woman, she nurtured those who went to war, and they will give back to protect her

Question 6

End quote (2)

Answer 6

‘Under an English heaven’ in the poem, comparing England to heaven, representing physical being replaced with spiritual, as if a person is at one with God. So no matter where they die, they will deal with England.

Question 7

Form and structure

Answer 7

The poem is written as a sonnet, a 14 lined love poem to demonstrate Brooks love for England. The first stanza is an October which is the first eight lines where he talks about how England enriched his life. The second stanza which is a sestet that is six lines describe how, after death, he will return the gifts given to him by his country. On line nine, there is a Volta , which is a turning point.

Question 8

Personal response

Answer 8

I think the poem doesn’t present war as how it actually was. Although societies view on what was positive at the time later on people learnt the pure brutality and violence of war