Who’s For The Game?

Question 1

(WFTG) themes

Answer 1

• attitudes to conflict
• duty
• patriotism
• sportsmanship
• reasons for conflict

Question 2

(WFTG) author background (Jessie Pope)

Answer 2

• was largely driven by jingoism and extreme patriotism
• a propaganda poet during WWI
• didn’t go to war
• pro-war

Question 3

(WFTG) structure

Answer 3

• ABAB rhyme - contrast between cowardice and bravery
• every other line is indented - reinforces the distinction between the two types of men
• the first 3 lines of first 3 stanzas are dedicated to bravery, last lines are for cowards

Question 4

(WFTG) ”Who’ll grip and tackle the job unafraid?”

Answer 4

Rhetorical question

Effectively the speaker pressures the reader to show their bravery

Bravery is displayed as a duty

Question 5

(WFTG) ”Who’ll (..)” and ”Who’ll give his country a hand?”

Answer 5

anaphora

Evokes the sense that the poem is a ‘call to arms’

Question 6

(WFTG) Who wants a turn to himself in the show?

Answer 6

Metaphor and persuasive tone

Reinforces the grandeur of war

Also appeals to the reader’s desire for recognition, persuading them to join

Question 7

(WFTG) ”And who wants a seat in the stand?”

Answer 7

Continues the metaphor with contrast

The speaker suggests spectators miss out on the fun - she emphasises that war is enjoyable

Question 8

(WFTG) Who knows it won’t be a picnic - not much - yet eagerly shoulders a gun?

Answer 8

Irony and jovial tone

The speaker downplays the brutality of war

while also emphasising the eagerness of individuals who join

Question 9

(WFTG) ”Come along, lads - but you’ll come on all right”

Answer 9

imperative and motivational tone

The speaker encourages the men to join together out of a sense of camaraderie

Question 10

(WFTG) Your country is up to her neck in a fight

Answer 10

personification

By depicting the country as a damsel in distress, the speaker appeals to young men

The speaker also evokes a sense of duty