transcendence Flashcards
(9 cards)
para 1 -overview
In The Soldier, the theme of transcendence explores the idea that death is not an end, but a transformation into something eternal and greater. The soldier, in dying for his country, believes his spirit will live on as a part of England, transcending the physical world. Rupert Brooke portrays death as a noble sacrifice, with the soldier’s body and soul becoming one with the land. Even in death, the soldier’s connection to England is unbroken, and he imagines his essence contributing to the country’s lasting peace and beauty. The poem presents transcendence as a spiritual continuation, where the soldier’s sacrifice elevates him to a higher, immortal plane.
para 2 - “there’s some corner of a foreign field that is forever England,
The theme of transcendence in The Soldier is deeply tied to the idea of legacy, both for the individual and for the nation. In the line “If I should die, think only this of me: That there’s some corner of a foreign field that is forever England,” the soldier’s desire for his death to be remembered as part of England reinforces this idea of transcendence. By imagining that a foreign field would become a part of England, Brooke uses the noun “forever” to suggest that even death cannot sever the soldier’s bond with his homeland. This sense of permanence highlights the idea that the soldier’s sacrifice is so meaningful that it transcends the boundaries of time and place. The “corner” of the foreign field becomes a sacred, almost hallowed space, as though the soldier’s spirit is preserved there for eternity, elevating his death to a spiritual level.
part 3- A dust whom England bore, shaped, made aware,”
Additionally, the line “A dust whom England bore, shaped, made aware,” introduces the idea that the soldier is part of a greater plan—shaped by England. The use of “bore” suggests a nurturing, almost maternal connection between England and its citizens, elevating the soldier’s life to something guided and purposeful. The word “aware” adds another layer, implying that the soldier is not just a passive participant in this process, but that he is consciously part of something greater than himself. It suggests an understanding that the soldier’s existence and purpose are tied to England, and that his eventual death is not an end, but a continuation of his connection to the land he has served.
para 4 -“In that rich earth a richer dust concealed.”
The idea of transcendence is also expanded in “In that rich earth a richer dust concealed.” The soldier’s body, represented by “dust,” is linked to the earth, but the term “richer dust” conveys that the soldier’s sacrifice adds a higher value to the land. The idea that the soldier’s death will make the earth richer goes beyond physical meaning—Brooke is suggesting that the soldier’s spirit elevates the soil, contributing to a higher, spiritual value. This metaphor of “richer dust” implies that the soldier’s death is not just the end of his life, but a transformation, as if his essence contributes to the eternal legacy of England. It aligns with the idea of transcendence because the soldier’s body and spirit transcend the physical world, leaving an enduring spiritual mark on the land.
para 5- “Her sights and sounds; dreams happy as the day,”
In the second stanza of The Soldier, Rupert Brooke explores transcendence through the idea that the soldier’s connection to England will continue after death, elevating the soldier’s sacrifice to a noble and eternal level. The first line, “Her sights and sounds; dreams happy as the day,” is particularly significant in this context. The phrase “dreams happy as the day” moves beyond the tangible world, suggesting a vision of England that is idyllic and almost utopian. By using the word “dreams”, Brooke implies that England, in the soldier’s eyes, is not just a physical place but an ideal, something transcendent that exists in the mind and spirit. The imagery of “happy as the day” enhances this sense of transcendence, suggesting that the soldier’s memories of England are not confined to the physical world but live on as pure, unspoiled joy even after death.
para 6 -“A body of England’s, breathing English air
The next line, “A body of England’s, breathing English air,” further emphasizes the soldier’s connection to England, but it also takes the idea of transcendence further. The choice of the word “breathing” is significant because it connects life with the air of England, suggesting that the very act of living in England becomes part of the soldier’s identity. Yet, given that this poem was written during World War I, the implication is that this life will soon end, and this air will no longer be physically experienced. Instead, the soldier’s essence becomes “a body of England’s”, a phrase that transforms his death into a spiritual connection with his homeland. In death, the soldier will transcend the physical realm and become something greater, something eternal within the very soil and air of England.
para 7 -“Gives, somewhere back the thoughts that would be found,”
The final line, “Gives, somewhere back the thoughts that would be found,” suggests a deeper layer of transcendence. The word “gives” implies that the soldier is offering a part of himself that will continue to resonate long after his death. The phrase “somewhere back” adds to the idea of transcendence, indicating that the soldier’s thoughts, his essence, are not lost but are returned to England, contributing to its greater spirit. This could symbolize a return to the land he fought for, where his legacy and spirit will remain forever entwined with England’s identity. The soldier’s sacrifice is not just a personal loss but a collective gift, making his death transcend the individual and become part of the greater national consciousness.
para 8- structure
The structure of The Soldier enhances the theme of transcendence through its use of the Shakespearean sonnet form. The 14 lines, split into three quatrains and a final couplet, show the soldier’s transformation from life to spiritual immortality. The first quatrain introduces the idea that even in death, the soldier’s connection to England remains eternal. The second quatrain deepens this by suggesting the soldier’s body will continue to be part of England, even after death, representing his transcendence into something greater. The final couplet reinforces this idea, showing that the soldier’s spirit will contribute to the lasting peace of England. The sonnet’s structure reflects the soldier’s journey from physical death to spiritual eternity, emphasizing that death is a transformation rather than an end.
conclusion
In conclusion, the theme of transcendence in The Soldier is central to Rupert Brooke’s portrayal of death as a noble and eternal transformation. Through the structure and language of the poem, Brooke suggests that the soldier’s death is not an end but a spiritual continuation, where his connection to England lives on forever. The soldier transcends the physical world, becoming part of the land he fought for, elevating his sacrifice to something greater than himself. Ultimately, the poem presents death as a path to spiritual immortality, where the soldier’s spirit remains intertwined with the eternal identity of England.
