The soldier Flashcards
(10 cards)
What is the poem about ?
The poem describes Brooke’s overtly patriotic view that it is a
glorious and honourable sacrifice to die for your country, and
specifically England. The poem acts almost as a love poem to England,
which he romanticises and praises for its beauty and bounty. It is an
idealistic view of war and what it was like or would be like to die in
battle.
What is the context ?
The sonnet was published and used as propaganda
Originally titled “The recruit”
During the First world war
Died on the way to war
Buried in cyprus
What is the structure of the poem ?
Sonnet to symbolise his love for his country:
The poem begins with the idea of the anonymous soldier’s death and suggests his
decomposing body will infuse the ground around him with a little of his English values and
ideals.
The middle of the poem personifies England and considers how beautiful and picturesque
the countryside is.
The 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.
What are the possible themes and links ?
Possible Themes and Links:
Patriotism– Dulce et Decorum Est
Impact of war – Dulce et Decorum Est and A Wife in London
Pride – Ozymandias and Dulce et Decorum Est
What does the title “The solider” represent ?
It suggest the
poem is about an anonymous person illustrating how many innocent soldiers died during World war 1
What does the opening line present about his views about war “If i should die” ?
It suggest an acceptance to die and the mod verb “should” indicates a willingness to die for his country
What is meant by the quote “a richer dust “
It has religious over tones of the idea your body turns into dust when you are buried, he is stating that his dust is superior to the “foreign field” he lies on because he is English
What does the quote “ A pulse in the eternal mind” represent ?
That his
presence in the soil
of a foreign land will be there forever, making him immortal
How does this poem
show
his
love and
pride for his country ?
“Under an English heaven”
- shows his pride in England as he is suggesting England i almost like paradise and to die in England’s name would bring him “peace”
