The Soldier

Question 1

How does Brooke present war in the soldier

Answer 1

He presents war as a noble patriotic duty, focusing on glorification rather than suffering
The poem reflects pre-war optimism, portraying death in battle as an honourable sacrifice

Question 2

The solider was written in

Answer 2

1914 - Start of WW1

Question 3

Brooke context

Answer 3

Never saw frontline combat - died of sepsis otw to Gallipoli, not in battle
—> contrast to later war poets like Wilfred Owen who exposed war horrors

Question 4

‘If I should die, think only this of me: that there’s some corner of a foreign field/ that is forever England’

Answer 4

Brooke romanticise war, portraying it as a way to serve England even in death - patriotic
‘Forever England’ suggests a soldiers body brings glory to the land, linking war to national pride’
Imperial imagery suggests englands greatness extends beyond’s it borders -> positive view of war

Question 5

‘Forever England’ contrast in dulce

Answer 5

Dulce rejects patriotism and calls it the ‘old lie’

Question 6

‘In that rich earth, a …

Answer 6

….richer dust concealed’

Question 7

‘In that rich earth, a richer dust concealed’

Answer 7

Brooke presents death as peaceful and beautiful and not violet
‘Richer dust’ - metaphor for the solider remains, suggesting his body enriches land
Soft natural imagery contrasts to horrific deaths in dulce ‘guttering, choking, drowning’ in gas attacks

Question 8

‘A pulse in the

Answer 8

…..eternal mind’

Question 9

‘A pulse in the eternal mind’

Answer 9

Poem presents war as a spiritual act and links it to heaven
‘Eternal mind’ suggests the soldiers soul lives on, reinforcing the idea that death in war in meaningful and pure

Question 10

‘A pulse in the eternal mind’ contrast to dulce

Answer 10

Owen describes mental trauma of war ‘in all my dreams before my helpless sight’ shows war haunts the mind and destroys soldiers

Question 11

Structure of poem

Answer 11

Sonnet form reinforces Brooke’s romantic view of war - traditionallly used for love poetry which shows Brooke’s love for England
- regular rhyme scheme reflects certainty in belief of war nobility
- compared to dulce irregular structure

Question 12

The soldier reflects

Answer 12

Pre1916 propaganda

Question 13

Conculsion

Answer 13

Brooke presents war as a patriotic sacrifice, idealing death as peaceful and honourable —> optimism