The Soldier (Rupert Brooke)

Question 1

CONTEXT (AO3)

Answer 1

written by Rupert Brooke
- never actually experienced combat
- has a perhaps naive and ignorant view of war
purpose
- presents a romanticised viewpoint of war
- explores the bond between a patriotic British soldier and his homeland - the poem implies that people are formed by their home environment and culture, and that their country is worth defending with their life.
written during WW1
- belongs to the an earlier stage if the war, when people were generally more optimistic and patriotic
- the poem was often read aloud in St. Paul’s cathedral - capturing the patriotic mood of the people (before they experienced the true horrors of war)

Question 2

STRUCTURE

Answer 2

• sonnet structure (octave and sestet) - 14 lines
• iambic pentameter - steady tone - solidifies the message and also mimics the sound of soldiers marching (unity and togetherness)
• regular rhyme scheme
• enjambment - smooth, confident flow (not many breaks/hesitations)

Question 3

FORM

Answer 3

the poem is written in sonnet form - sonnets are usually addressed to lovers - showing the sheer amount of devotion and love for his country (England).

Question 4

‘If I should die, think only this of me:’

Answer 4

‘If I should die’ - CONDITIONAL IMPERATIVE - acceptance and almost willingness at the possibility of his own death.

‘If I should die’ - IMPERATIVE - asserts a tone of bravery and confidence

‘only’ - shows his devotion and patriotic motivation - singularity

Question 5

‘foreign field’

‘ever England.’

Answer 5

‘foreign field’ + ‘ever England.’ - ALLITERATION - creates an image full of pathos and patriotism - lends a subdued tone

Question 6

‘A dust whom England bore, shaped, made aware,

Gave, once, flowers to love, her ways to roam;’

Answer 6

LISTING - builds up the emotional impact of his country

PERSONIFICATION - giving ‘England’ maternal and human-like qualities - shows the nurturing and loving nature of the country (according to the poet)

deep intimacy and importance

Question 7

‘A body of England’s, breathing English air,

Washed by the rivers, blest by suns of home.’

Answer 7

‘body’ + ‘breathing’ + ‘by’ + ‘blest’ - ALLITERATION of plosives ‘b’

‘home’ - circles back to the tragic scene of death

‘England’ - REPETITION - poem gains patriotic intensity

Question 8

‘Her sights and sounds; dreams happy as her day;

And laughter, learnt of friends; and gentleness,’

Answer 8

‘Her’ - PRONOUN + PERSONIFICATION

‘sights’ + ‘sounds’ + ‘laughter’ + ‘learn’ - ALLITERATION - creates a gentle rhythm and unity

• depicts an idealised version of England
• beautiful imagery (romanticises England).

Question 9

‘In hearts at peace, under an English heaven.’

Answer 9

‘English heaven’ - Brooke seems to have a ‘rose-tinted’ view of England

‘heaven’ - the connection with his country will remain forever unbroken.