Paper no 110 : History of 20th century Literature 1900to 2000
Personal Detail
Name : parmar vishwa vijaysinh
Roll no : 27
Paper no: 110
Paper name : History of 20th century Literature 1900 to 2000
E-Mail Id :vishwabaparmar3536@gmail.com
Std : MA (sem 2)
College: Department of English
Subject : Investigate the historical context of World War I and its influence on Rupert Brooke's writing of "The Soldier."
Investigate the historical context of world war- l and its influence on Rupert Brooke's Writing of "The Soldier"
Rupert Brooke Introduction:
He studied in Germany and traveled in Italy, but his favourite pastime was rambling in the countryside around the village of Grantchester, which he celebrated in a charming and wildly irrational panegyric, “The Old Vicarage, Grantchester” . In 1911 his Poems were published. He spent a year wandering in the United States, Canada, and the South Seas. With the outbreak of World War I, he received a commission in the Royal Navy. After taking part in a disastrous expedition to Antwerp that ended in a harrowing retreat, he sailed for the Dardanelles, which he never reached. He died of septicemia on a hospital ship off Skyros and was buried in an olive grove on that island.
" The Soldier " Overview :
"The Soldier" is a poem by Rupert Brooke written during the first year of the First World War (1914). It is a deeply patriotic and idealistic poem that expresses a soldier's love for his homeland in this case England, which is portrayed as a kind of nurturing paradise. Indeed, such is the soldier's bond with England that he feels his country to be both the origin of his existence and the place to which his consciousness will return when he dies. The poem was a hit with the public at the time, capturing the early enthusiasm for the war . Nowadays, the poem is seen as somewhat naïve, offering little of the actual experience of war. That said, it undoubtedly captures and distills a particular type of patriotism.
Investigate the historical context of World War I and its influence on Rupert Brooke's writing of "The Soldier."
Introduction:
World War I, also known as the Great War, was a global conflict that began in 1914 and lasted until 1918. It involved all the major powers of the world, who were grouped into two opposing alliances: the Allies and the Central Powers. The war was unprecedented in its scale and brutality, with millions of casualties on both sides.
Rupert Brooke, a young English poet, was inspired by the outbreak of World War I to write a series of sonnets known as the "1914 and Other Poems" collection. His most famous poem, "The Soldier," was written in this context and reflects the patriotic fervor that gripped Britain at the war's outset.
• Political tensions and alliances:
Political tensions and alliances were a major underlying cause of World War I. In the decades leading up to the war, Europe became a tangled web of alliances, with countries promising military support to each other in case of attack. These alliances were supposed to deter war, but they ultimately had the opposite effect.
The early 20th century saw a complex web of alliances and rivalries among European powers, leading to heightened tensions. The assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria-Hungary in 1914 acted as a catalyst, sparking the outbreak of war.
In the years leading up to World War I, Europe was divided into two main alliance systems. The Triple Entente consisted of France, Russia, and the United Kingdom, while the Triple Alliance comprised Germany, Austria-Hungary, and Italy. These alliances were formed to maintain a balance of power and deter aggression.
The assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand served as the immediate trigger for the outbreak of war, but underlying political tensions and long-standing rivalries fueled the conflict. With each nation honoring its alliance commitments, the Great Powers of Europe found themselves drawn into a devastating conflict that would reshape the course of history.
• Nationalistics Fervor :
World War-1 was fueled by a strong sense of national pride and identity, with many individuals feeling duty-bound to defend their country. This fervor is reflected in Brooke's poem, which celebrates the idea of dying for one's homeland.
The Soldier" is a prime example of nationalistic fervor. The poem expresses a strong sense of patriotism and the soldier's willingness to sacrifice himself for his country. Here's how Brooke evokes nationalistic fervor:
The speaker emphasizes his duty towards England, stating he has "encountered death" and sees it as a noble act, a way to repay his homeland for all it has given him. The poem suggests that by dying for England, the soldier transcends death. He becomes a part of the English soil and lives on in the hearts of his countrymen.
The poem portrays war as a glorious and almost mystical experience. There's no mention of the horrors of war, just the soldier's unwavering dedication to his country.
• The Great War's Human cost :
The unprecedented scale of death and destruction during World War I had a profound impact on society. The staggering loss of life, combined with the horrors of trench warfare, deeply affected the psyche of those living through it.
World War I had a profound human cost, both on servicemen and civilians. Conservative estimates put war casualties at 12 million dead and 20 million severely wounded, though in reality both figures should probably be much higher. Taking into account deaths from combat, disease and missing soldiers, each of the major powers lost numbers in the millions.
Germany and Russia lost by far the most personnel, though Russian record-keeping was so inept that its losses will never be accurately known, even to the nearest 100,000. Italy, which only entered the war in mid-1915 and was not significantly involved on the Western Front, lost an enormous number of men, particularly in 1917. The losses incurred by British dominions like Canada, Australia and New Zealand were smaller in total, but more profound when one takes into account their tiny populations.
• Brooke's Personal Experiences:
Rupert Brooke, like many of his contemporaries, was deeply affected by the war. Although he did not experience combat firsthand due to his early death from sepsis in 1915, his experiences as a member of the British Navy and his interactions with soldiers likely influenced his writing of "The Soldier."
"The Soldier" became one of Brooke's most famous poems, and it is seen as a powerful expression of patriotism and the idea of dying for one's country. However, the poem's view of war has also been critiqued for being overly romantic and idealistic.
The poem was written at the beginning of the war, and Brooke himself died of blood poisoning before seeing combat.
The poem instead focuses on the idea of a soldier's sacrifice and the enduring connection between a soldier and their homeland. It portrays a sense of patriotism and heroism.
• Propaganda and Patriotism :
Governments on both sides of the conflict utilized propaganda to galvanize support for the war effort. Brooke's poem can be seen within this context as a piece that reinforces patriotic sentiments and encourages sacrifice for the greater good.
Rupert Brooke's poem "The Soldier" expresses a strong sense of patriotism and can be seen as reflecting propaganda elements common during World War I. The poem portrays the speaker, a soldier, willingly sacrificing himself for his country. Lines like "A corner of a foreign field that is for ever England there shall be" (lines 2-3) demonstrate this idea of death in service of a glorious cause.
However, it's important to note that the poem was written early in the war, before the brutal realities of trench warfare became widely known. Brooke himself died of illness in 1915 without ever experiencing combat. Later war poets, such as Wilfred Owen, would present a more critical perspective on the war's horror.
• Literary Response to the War :
"The Soldier" is part of a broader literary response to World War I, with writers and poets grappling with the unprecedented horrors of modern warfare. Brooke's poem stands out for its idealized portrayal of war and the romanticization of sacrifice for one's country.
The poem portrays death in war as a glorious sacrifice for England.The speaker views his body becoming one with the foreign soil, forever connecting him to his homeland.
Lines like "That there's some corner of a foreign field / That is for ever England" echo the prevailing patriotic sentiment at the war's outbreak.The speaker finds solace in the idea that his death will contribute to England's triumph.
Brooke's poem is a product of its time, reflecting the initial enthusiasm for the war.As the war dragged on and casualties mounted, poets like Wilfred Owen would depict war's brutality and disillusionment.
Conclusion :
In conclusion, the historical context of World War I, characterized by political tensions, intricate alliance systems, and imperial rivalries, profoundly influenced Rupert Brooke's writing of "The Soldier." Against the backdrop of a world plunged into conflict, Brooke's poem captures the spirit of patriotism and sacrifice prevalent during the era.
By exploring the political dynamics and societal upheavals of the time, we gain a deeper understanding of the themes and emotions conveyed in "The Soldier" and the broader literary response to the Great War. Ultimately, Brooke's poem stands as a testament to the profound impact of war on the human psyche and the enduring allure of sacrifice for one's homeland.
Thank you .
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