A Brave Sir Remembered
Poetry Analysis by Lulu C
“In hearts at peace, under an English heaven,” means a mighty soldier would die for England. The poem, “The Soldier” by Rupert Brooke, gives inspiring insight into the mind of a soldier with imagery, tone, and a life lesson that ignites thought. In the first stanza, Brooke uses imagery to express how the soldier sees England. He states, “Washed by the rivers, blest by the sun…” Rupert also says, “…Flowers to love…” These statements mean that England is this soldiers home, with every step he takes, he owes his life to England and this lines also give you a mental image, when he walks throughout the streets of England he embraces nature and what England has given to him. Additionally, within the tone, Rupert Brooke is saying how he will die for his country. “… breathing English air,” and “If I should die, think only this of me:” What could be interpreted from these lines is that England gives him land, air, and a life, so he feels that it only fair that he protects her, goes to war for her, will die for her. The author is using the word “her” in place of England because the soldier doesn’t look at England as just land and buildings, he sees England as a care taker, almost like a mother because she provides for him and is the reason that he is living. Furthermore, there is a great life lesson, if you look a little deeper than the surface. The soldier would die to keep his country at peace, “all heart, all evil shed away,” meaning that he wants England and everyone in it to live at peace, to not be scared to walk outside of their homes, to feel protected no matter who they are or where they are. This brave soldier is fighting for what he believes in, even if no one else will. He believes that the “children” of the “motherland” should be at peace because if you believe in something, you should fight for it, no matter how big or small. In short, the poem, “The Soldier,” is inspiring, thought provoking and an overall life lesson.