Poetry Analysis of \"The Soldier\"

Poetry Analysis of "The Soldier" by Rupert Brooke

The poem "The Soldier" by Rupert Brooke is a literary piece that reflects the thoughts and feelings of an individual who has offered his life for his beloved country, England: the soldier. Simply identified as the Soldier, the poem is reminiscent of the patriotism and nationalism associated with one's dedication to join the war and fight in it for the sake of his/her country. This analysis of the poem centers on the elements and techniques utilized in the poem: the theme, voice, rhyming, rhythm and imagery.

As was discussed earlier the poem was a dedication to the Soldier, the anonymous yet significant individual for Brooke's society, mainly because the Soldier represented all individuals who were willing to sacrifice their lives just to ensure that their country would be successful in their war effort. Looking into the historical in which the poem was written, it was noticeable that it was written in memory of the soldiers who will be engaging in the First World War. The great repercussions that this first ever world war that the world will be witnessing had influenced Brooke's psyche, highlighting the poet's nostalgic yet somewhat proud feeling as he offered his poem as a dedication for his patriotic fellowmen.

In order to fully express his thoughts and feelings about the First World War, Brooke used a melancholic yet stable tone as the voice of the Soldier. The poem was created with clarity and stability, which reflect the Soldier's feelings of sadness, and at the same, happiness and contentment, as he is about to embark in a dangerous yet meaningful mission for his country.

Apart from the use of melancholic yet stable and clear voice in the poem, the smooth flow of the poem's thoughts and feelings were reinforced through the balanced rhythm of the poem. This was achieved by using end rhymes, illustrated through the words, "me/be," "field/concealed," "roam/home," and "given/heaven," among others.

The choice of words in the poem also helped develop the over-all mood of the poem. The usage of traditional techniques in poetry such as end rhyming and balanced rhythm mirrored the rustic and provincial landscape of England, giving the reader the impression that the Soldier synonymously associated England, his country, as close as his home. The poem's traditional mood, in fact, appeals to the reader's tendency to look for balance and clarity; achieving these aspects highlighted the resolute character of the Soldier. Resoluteness was reflected in the fact that he remained proud, hopeful, and loving to his country despite the possibility that he could be killed in combat anytime. In effect, the Soldier in the poem was England's sacrifice, a dedication symbolizing patriotism and nationalism, in the same way that Brooke composed the poem for the Soldier.