The Soldier

Question 1

Form:

Answer 1

rhyme in the first stanza but none in the second - suggests more complicated values of british values over british land

Sonnet- love for England

Direct appeal to reader through imperative ‘think’. Militarism - we feel commanded.

First person narrative only apparent in first line- could be about any soldier

Question 2

Caesura

Answer 2

Highlights patriotism and reflective attitude

Question 3

Listing using caesura

Answer 3

There is no way to fit all of his descriptions in so he’s having to cram them together

Question 4

Structure:

Answer 4

Material things
Then british mindset
Growth in positivity

Confident -> reflective (Through caesura)

Octave - how British has enriched his life
Sestet - how he will repay his country after death . Insinuates a sense of gratuity and humility that reinforce Britain’s goodness.

Repetition of ‘england’ makes the reader’s patriotism seem overwhelming

Question 5

Repetition of England/English

‘Home’

Answer 5

Patriotism and hyperbolic devotion to his country

Despite to his foreign death, he will be home in spirit

Question 6

Language

Answer 6

Semantic field of peace, strength and contentment

Extended metaphor for Britain as a mother - the country made him who he is, and reassures him during war. Stereotypical female descriptions present her as caring

Natural imagery - idyllic, symbolic of the country’s inherent goodness

Religious - exemplifies soldiers faithful nature and a hope that he will live on, despite a horrific corporeal death he must be aware is possible

Question 8

Maternal imagery

Answer 8

Bore
Her flowers

Indicates unconditional and maybe almost necessary love

Sense of growth

Question 9

Personification

Answer 9

A body of England’s breathing English air

the thoughts by England given
Her sights and sounds

Question 10

Idealist imagery

Answer 10

dreams
Laughter 
Friends
Gentleness
Peace 
Hearts

Omits typical gruesome descriptions of war, could be trying not to imagine it to quash fear? Externally brave?

Question 11

If I should die

Answer 11

Sudden, impactful start

This man is brave and does not fear death because he has faith that heaven will be peaceful

Question 12

for ever England

Answer 12

Patriotic tone
Literally because of the possibility we will win the war
Symbolically because he body remains there- there is a part of English’s remain

Question 13

Foreign field

Answer 13

Fricatives -> far away?

Isolated grave, depressing image subverted by persistent and insistent faith

Question 14

In that rich earth a richer dust concealed

Answer 14

biblical allusion - “ashes to ashes, dust to dust” - Book of Common Prayer, read at funeral

he believes that England is so perfect, it must have been crafted by god

Comparative because of the faith and inherent goodness of his ppl -> arrogance?

Question 15

Eternal mind

Answer 15

Means god

Abstract imagery and more personification

Question 16

Gives somewhere back the thoughts by England given

Answer 16

Patriotism

Cyclical line presents the idea that in his death, the soldier is giving back to England

Question 17

Sights and sounds

Answer 17

Sibilence
All encompassing love
Abiding - sights and sounds don’t die, England’s goodness won’t die

Question 18

Under an english heaven

Answer 18

Biblical allusion

Gives ending huge impact

Question 19

Necessary?

Answer 19

Maybe is insecure or frightened of his death so he hopes a love of his country his assure/save him… maybe

Question 20

Context

Answer 20

Eager to enlist in August 1914

Question 21

And think, this heart, all evil shed away

Answer 21

Disjointed - maybe he does subconsciously fear death

Evil is in the world, he recognises, but not England!

Death is purifying and brings him closer to god