The Soldier Flashcards
Themes
Grief/ Loss/ Death
Conflict/ War
Nature
Love and Relationships
Death quotes
“If I should die, think only this of me”
“A pulse in the eternal mind”
“In hearts at peace, under an English heaven”
Themes of Death
- Not fearful, almost welcoming of it
- Doesn’t seem to understand the true meaning of death
- Thinks it is good to die for your country- and would do it for England
- Believes in heaven even if he kills in the war
Love Quotes
“In that rich earth a richer dust concealed”
“A dust whom England bore, shaped, made aware”
“Gave once, her flowers to love”
“In this heart, all evil shed away”
“Dreams as happy as her day”
“Her laughter learnt of friends”
“In hearts at peace”
Themes of Love
- Patriotic love for England and all things English
- He believes England represents purity and love
- He personifies England as his mother, a loving nurturing figure in his life
- Describes her as a joyful loving person
Conflict Quotes
“If I should die, think only this of me”
“Some corner of a foreign field that is forever England”
“In this heart all evil shed away”
“A pulse in the eternal mind”
“In hearts at peace under an English heaven”
Themes of Conflict
- Seems naive, oblivious to the real obscenities of war
- Could be because it was written before he left
- Goes straight to death, like he’s expecting it and wishing for it
- Believes heaven will accept him even if he was fought
Nature Quotes
“Some corner of a foreign field that is forever England”
“In that rich earth a richer dust concealed”
“Gave once, her flowers to love”
“Breathing English air”
“Washed by the rivers, blest by the suns of home”
Themes of Nature
- Purification of the land by an English soul
- Even in a foreign place England is still there
- He was touched and raised by all parts of nature in England, the rivers, flowers, and sun
Place Quotes
“Some corner of a foreign field that is forever England”
“A dust whom England bore, shaped, made aware”
“A body of England’s, breathing English air”
“The thoughts by England given”
“Under an English heaven”
Themes of Place
- Patriotic ideas of England
- Being somewhere else doesn’t matter because he is truly English
- England raised him and will be where he is in heaven
Context
Brooke wrote optimistically about the opening months of the war, something which seems naive when just reading one poem. Later in the conflict he changed his attitude extremely.
Structure
Sonnet form, emphasises his love for his country and patriotic admiration.
Language
Alliteration “foreign field forever England” the word England stands out to convey his message
The line also had enjombment to show how England continues for ever
Flowers comes under the richer dust, showing how England nurtures and created beauty from even the most blood washed land
