The Soldier (rupert Brooke) Flashcards
“If I should die, think only this of me:” b
Conditional - possibility of death with calm acceptance
imperative ‘think only this of me’ - selfless & patriotic focus on legacy not personal loss
(Reflective tone, willingness to sacrifice for his country, encouraging audiences to honour this ideal
“That there’s some corner of a foreign field / That is forever England.” B
alliteration foreign field contrasts forever England - even death transforms distant lands into extension of England
Possessive forever - enteral patriotism
(Glorifies idea of dying for country, romanticising war & idealised view of sacrifice)
“In that rich earth a richer dust concealed;” b
metaphor richer dust - soldiers remains, enriched by English heritage
rich - implies spiritual and cultural wealth, elevating sacrifice
(Soldiers death enhances land he rests in, patriotism to natural imagery)
“A body of England’s, breathing English air,” m
repetition of “England” - national identity
Personification of England - English air” connects life and heritage to the natural world
(speaker’s existence inseparable from
homeland, glorifying England - life-giving force)
“Washed by the rivers, blest by suns of home.” m
Natural imagery of “rivers” and “suns” romanticises England’s landscape
“blest” conveys a spiritual connection to the land.
(England - sacred,nurturing entity, justifying speakers devotion and sacrifice.
“And think, this heart, all evil shed away” m
Metaphor heart shedding evil - purification through sacrifice
implies that death in service to England cleanses moral failings - religious imagery, giving to god, common concept at the time
( death with redemption and honor, war
- a noble & purifying experience)
“Gives somewhere back the thoughts by England given” e
cyclical structure of “gives” and “given” - reciprocal relationship between the soldier and England - repetition
soldier’s sacrifice repays the homeland for shaping his identity
(speaker’s gratitude & sense of duty, framing his death - meaningful, contribution to his country)
“Her sights and sounds; dreams happy as her day;” e
personification - England as a living, nurturing presence
phrase “dreams happy as her day” idealises the country’s influence, creating a utopian vision of home.
(the beauty & perfection of England, reinforcing the speaker’s patriotic love and devotion)
“Under an English heaven” e
fuses patriotism with spirituality,
England itself - divine presence
preposition “under” conveys eternal connection and protection - England looking over us
(Ends poem with transcendent image - England’s eternal influence, framing the soldier’s death noble & eternal.)
What is the context of “The Soldier”?
during the early stages of World War I, before the realities of war were fully understood.
Brooke never fought in battle - ironic
Edwardian values and Romantic influences, glorifying sacrifice and national pride.
emblematic of the early optimism of the war but was later contrasted with the disillusionment of poets like Wilfred Owen
How do structure and form contribute to “The Soldier”?
Structure: Petrarchan sonnet divided into an octave (reflecting the soldier’s physical connection to England) and a sestet (spiritual and eternal reflections).
Form: The sonnet form is traditionally associated with love, emphasizing the speaker’s devotion to England.
What does the title “The Soldier” signify?
definite article “The” universalises the speaker, represents all soldiers who share his patriotic devotion.
Simplistic and direct, the title underscores poem’s focus on identity & role of soldiers - defenders/embodiments of national pride.
What are some possible exam questions and themes for “The Soldier”?
Patriotism and national identity.
Sacrifice and legacy
Glorify war
Natural world reflect love for England
idealised view of war and death
