The Soldier by Rupert Brooke

Question 1

What does Brooke’s use the poem as a vehicle to?

Answer 1

• To promote the idea that men should enroll in the war, and defend their beloved nation
• He was a pre-war poet who never actually saw any war which is why he had idealistic views of war
• His glorified views of war were criticised by post-war poets who new the reality of war

Question 2

Initially point

Answer 2

Brooke glorifies death as an English soldier by suggesting that it is honorable to die defending the country that is presented as a maternal figure

Question 3

Initially… (qoute 1)

Answer 3

“That is forever england”

• This is the notion that the if the soldier were to die, that spot would be declared as England- this would appeal to a contemporary readers sense of patriotism

Question 4

Initially… (qoute 2)

Answer 4

“A dust whom England bore”

• through the personification of England as a maternal and omnibenevolent figure, the idea that any soldier that does perish will be remembered and their deaths will be for the protection of their nation.
• This glorified version of death is juxtaposed by the reality of war which would have been apparent to readers when this poem gain popularity

Question 5

However as the text develops point

Answer 5

Brooke further glorifies fighting in war by suggesting that it is the soldiers duty to help defend the country that metaphorically gave birth to them

Question 6

However, as the text develops… (qoute 1)

Answer 6

“All evil shed away”

-This suggests that in death, all sins will pass and you will be pure

Question 7

As the text develops… (qoute 2)

Answer 7

“A pulse in the eternal mind”

• This emphasises the idea that all soldiers will be remembered by both the maternal figure of ‘England’ and by the people of England
• Ironically, this is one of the only parts of the poem that bears any truth, and it discredits Brooke’s previous claims

Question 8

Ultimately point

Answer 8

Brooke promotes the idea that if you were to die in war, you will be forever remembered and will go to a superior English heaven

Question 9

Ultimately… (qoute 1)

Answer 9

“Back the thoughts by England given”

• This promotes the idea that all men are obliged to give back to the country/ maternal figure that “bore” them, by fighting to protect them

Question 10

Ultimately… (qoute 2)

Answer 10

“Under and English heaven”

• “English” heaven suggests that being English is superior to anyone else, and that it is almost a privilege to go to an England heaven
• There is also a sense of glorification surrounding dying for your country, ultimately promoting the idea that it is noble to die for your country