The Soldier Flashcards
Poet
Rupert brooke
Vehicle statement and summary
Rupert Brooke uses the poem the soldier as a vehicle to present an idealised view of a soldiers willingness to fight and die for hid country. Written shortly after the start of WW1, the poem looks over the higher patriotic and omitting the harsh realities of war, and how it glorifies a soldiers unwavering devotion to England, and his selfless allegiance to his beloved nation above all else, even his own life
Themes
Patriotism
Sacrifice and death
Devotion
Patriotism quotes
“That there’s some corner of a foreign field That is for ever England”
“Gave, once, her flowers to love, her ways to roam”
“In hearts at peace, under an english heaven”
“That there’s some corner of a foreign field That is for ever England”
England transcends mere geography, the spirit of England is eternally interwoven with that of the soldier’s, wherever he is buried. Alliteration of “foreign field” underscores its foreignness, which contrasts England. Due to it being dome corner of the foreign field, shows no respect or any consideration for the field, nothing remarkable about it. Meant to indicate how much more superior England land is, highlight patriotism .
“That is forever England” suggests due to soliders patriotism to country, he will create the land he is buried in as England. His nationality will be stored with him
“Gave, once, her flowers to love, her ways to roam”
Personification of England as a woman and mother with idealised language (flowers, love roam) is a typical of a romantic idyllic and elevates England into something celestial this highlighting the poets’s adoration of his country.
Mother personification highlights soldiers loyalty to england, as well as desire to defend and protect her
“In hearts, at peace under an English heaven”
The metaphor “under an English heaven” imbues the country with divine status, portraying the idea of dying for it as a noble and beautiful act of patriotism
Knowing of a well spent life which was appropriately sacrificed to help protect a nation that is so important and righteous even heaven reflects its value. Euphemism to end poem
Quotes for sacrifice and death
“If i should die, think only this of me”
“In that rich earth a richer dust concealed”
“And think, this heart, all evil shed away”
“If i should die, think only this of me”
The grammatical separation of “think only this of me” shifts the focus away from the soldier and highlights England instead. Meant to represent acceptance + sacrifice for country
“In that richer earth a richer dust concealed”
Describes foreign soil as rich but Englands soil as richer. Using comparitive adjective, asserts that being english is much better than not, even when the solider has died.
How good to die for england is. Euphemism, as death seen to improve soil
“Richer dust” euphemistic, speaking metaphorically to cover something more blunt of death at war.
“And think, this heart, all evil shed away”
Meant to show positives of death for a country. All sins and evil comes to an end when their life is sacrificed. As heart os England’s, dying for the country allows any sin to leave as dying for the “good side”. Romanticises a spiritual action of dying. Meant to shed a good light towards death.
Personification of evil with “shed” is meant to compare evil to dead skin. As one dies, the dead skin of evil sheds away, only living the pure soul full of goodness that has sacrificed for the country, much like a baptism. As death has “washed” away the sins
Quotes for devotion
“A body of England’s breathing English air”
“Washed by the rivers, blest by suns of home”
Repetition of “England”
“A body of England’s breathing English air”
Speakers devotion to England is highlighted by notion that his body belongs to the nation; it has been shaped by England, making his “dust” a lasting testimony of England’s beauty and culture.
Saying how his body was always for England. His devotion to the country has the country always supplied his with air, a necessity to live, he must show his loyalty back to keep the country nation alive
“Washed by the rivers, blest by suns of home”
England is represented as a religious figure, it id omniscient like a divine power, showcased in the geographical elements (air, water, sun). These religious connotations suggests the poets devotion to his country as he is saying the country has blessed him like a God.
Repetition of “England”
Repetition shows that they are fighting for the country. It shows a deep admiration and love, almost obsession. The speaker refers to England so much, the country is seen to be personified as a person, someone the speaker can be seen to be soul-tied to. Showcasing devotion
