"The Soldier" by Rubert Brooke - Favorite Poems

If I should die, think only this of me:
That there's some corner of a foreign field
That is for ever England. There shall be
In that rich earth a richer dust concealed;
A dust whom England bore, shaped, made aware,
Gave, once, her flowers to love, her ways to roam,
A body of England's, breathing English air,
Washed by the rivers, blest by suns of home.

And think, this heart, all evil shed away,
A pulse in the eternal mind, no less
Gives somewhere back the thoughts by England given;
Her sights and sounds; dreams happy as her day;
And laughter, learnt of friends; and gentleness,
In hearts at peace, under an English heaven.

“The Soldier” is poet, Rubert Brooke’s most famous poem and is part of a set of sonnets called “1914” that are all about war. He wrote these during World War I to express his idealistic visions of war. For a war poem, “The Soldier” is full of pride, propaganda and idealistic notions. This made sense since it was written leading up to the war when spirits were high and emotions wild. People were ready to give their lives for the nation in order to combat a great evil. Brooke’s poem would go on to inspire Britain’s servicemen in the early stages of WWI but most likely, his optimism and enthusiasm wouldn’t have lasted if he had lived past 1915.

The poem is a sonnet, divided into a Octet (ababcded) and a Sestet (efgefg). It’s neat, orderly structure inspires a sense of discipline, much like the army.

“The Soldier” starts out with “If” as to give the poem a dreamlike and surreal experience, full of pride and patriotism. “England” and the English are often referenced giving weight to its patriotic nature. Arguably, this could be a piece of propaganda. The Octet talks mostly about how a soldier’s death would enrich the land and give it to England. It is said that the dust of the English soldiers are superior to those of another country. England is also personified to give it a human and motherly touch. By casting his country as a beautiful motherly figure, he gives his nation a soft and caring touch.

Again, the poem is very idealistic, very optimistic and has a nature of propaganda. It inspires soldiers to fight for their country because of patriotism, honor, love and glory. It glorifies war and makes it seem like something to enjoy, not something to avoid.

Reading: http://www.truveo.com/Rupert-Brooke-The-Soldier-WW1-Poem-Animation-Movie/id/123651345