Analysing the poem 'The Soldier'
I can analyse how Brooke uses language, form and structure to express his patriotism.
Analysing the poem 'The Soldier'
I can analyse how Brooke uses language, form and structure to express his patriotism.
Lesson details
Key learning points
- Brooke uses personification to portray England as a mother figure, who has nurtured and cared for him his whole life.
- Brooke presents England as a superior nation; he portrays England as idyllic to illustrate his patriotism.
- The image of an “English heaven” reflects Brooke's hopes of being reunited with England in the event of his death.
- Brooke uses the sonnet form perhaps to reflect his love for, and devotion to, England.
- Brooke subverts conventions of traditional sonnets, perhaps because his love for England is familial and not romantic.
Common misconception
Pupils might think that Brooke fought and died in the war because he wrote a war poem.
Although Brooke bravely volunteered to fight in the war, he never actually engaged in any military action. Unfortunately, Brooke died from septicaemia on a ship en route to battle.
Keywords
Patriotism - showing a devotion to, and love for one’s country
Superior - more important/powerful/valuable than something else
Nurturing - to take care of and protect something or someone
Sonnet - a poem with 14 lines and a regular rhyme scheme
Idyllic - extremely perfect and/or picturesque
Content guidance
- Depiction or discussion of sensitive content
- Depiction or discussion of violence or suffering
Supervision
Adult supervision recommended
Licence
This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2024), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).
Video
Loading...
Starter quiz
6 Questions
Exit quiz
6 Questions
showing a devotion to, and love for one’s country
more important/powerful/valuable than something else
to take care of and protect something or someone
extremely perfect and/or picturesque