The Solider Flashcards
Context
Rupert Brooke was a so,died during WW1 and died of blood poisoning. He was buried in a ‘foreign field’ in Cyprus
Never involved in active service, yet the poem highlights his patriotism.
Structure
Poem begins with the idea of an anonymous soldier’s death and suggests his decomposing body will infuse the ground around him with a little bit of his English value’s and ideals.
Middle of the poem personifies England and considers how beautiful and picturesque the countryside is.
Final stanza suggests that in death he will achieve some form of immortality under a “heaven” that is English, even if the land he lays in is not.
Themes
Patriotism
Impact of war
Death
Pride
The Soldier
anonymity reflects in how many soldiers lost their lives in battle - could be about any one of them.
“If I should die”
Acceptance of death - may be viewed as a sacrifice he is willing to make.
“Foreign field”
adjective “foreign” suggests how far from home he is, and how strange the environment feels compared to England.
“That is for ever England”
The first mention of ‘England’ and his pride in fighting for her - that he represents her, even in death.
“In that rich earth, a richer dust concealed”
Religious overtones, reminiscent of a funeral service - he returns to dust upon his death.
“whom England bore, shaped, made aware”
Personification of England - she is almost his mother, who raised and nurtured him.
“her flowers to love, her ways to roam,”
Parental imagery highlights the beauty of England - her “flowers” and lanes, her “rivers”
“washed by the rivers, blest by the suns of home”
‘Blest’ emphasises his patriotism. Also has religious connotations. Suggests England is his benefactor and protector.
“all evil shed away,”
adjective ‘evil’ is perhaps an implied reference to the horrors of war and the cruelty mankind is capable of.
“A pulse in the eternal mind”
This suggests that in death, he almost becomes part of the universe, and again links back to the ideas of him potentially gaining a form of immortality.
“Her sights and sounds, dreams happy as her day;”
The poet reminds us of the cherished memories of England and home, shared with friends, further conveying his patriotism.
“And laughter, learnt of friend”
The poet re-emphasises his patriotism and beloved memories made with friends at home.
“In hearts at peace under an English heaven”
The poet suggests death brings peace and comfort, and that he can die in the knowledge of a life well spent and sacrificed appropriately to help protect a nation that is so important that even heaven reflects its values. Religious connotations.
