Thinking Activity- War Poetry

 Thinking Activity- War Poetry

 This blog is in response to the thinking Activity given by Megha Ma’am on the topic of War poetry.

War Poetry:-

 War poetry is a genre of poetry that emerged during times of conflict, typically written by soldiers or civilians who experienced the trauma of war. It often reflects the emotional and psychological impact of war, conveying themes such as grief, loss, courage, patriotism, and the horrors of war.

War poetry has a long history, dating back to ancient times when soldiers composed songs and poems to commemorate battles and honor fallen comrades. However, the term "war poetry" is most commonly associated with the literature of the First World War, which had a profound impact on the cultural consciousness of the time.

During the First World War, poets such as Wilfred Owen, Siegfried Sassoon, and Rupert Brooke gained recognition for their powerful and poignant depictions of the realities of war. Their works often challenged the romanticised view of war that had been prevalent in earlier literature, revealing the brutal and dehumanising nature of modern warfare.

Following the First World War, war poetry continued to be written in response to subsequent conflicts, including the Second World War, the Vietnam War, and the Gulf War. The themes and styles of war poetry have also evolved over time, with contemporary war poets often incorporating elements of realism, surrealism, and other literary techniques to convey the complexities of modern warfare.

war poetry remains an important form of expression for those affected by conflict, offering a means of processing trauma and bearing witness to the experiences of those who have suffered the ravages of war.

Rupert Brooke:-

Rupert Brooke (1887-1915) was an English poet known for his idealistic and patriotic poems, which captured the optimism and romanticism of the early 20th century. Brooke was born in Rugby, Warwickshire, and was educated at Cambridge University.

Brooke's most famous poems are his sonnets, including "The Soldier," which was written at the beginning of World War I and expresses the idea of sacrifice for one's country. The poem's opening lines, "If I should die, think only this of me: / That there's some corner of a foreign field / That is forever England," have become famous.

Brooke also wrote several other poems, including "The Old Vicarage, Grantchester," which describes the idyllic English countryside and his nostalgia for his youth. Another famous poem, "1914," reflects Brooke's initial enthusiasm for the war and his belief that it would be a transformative experience.

Sadly, Brooke did not live to see the end of the war. He died of sepsis on a French hospital ship on April 23, 1915, while en route to the Gallipoli campaign. He was buried on the island of Skyros in Greece. Brooke's early death and his idealistic poetry contributed to his reputation as a symbol of the lost generation of World War I.

"The Soldier" by Rupert Brooke

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 poem written by Rupert Brooke in 1914 at the beginning of World War I. The poem is a sonnet, consisting of fourteen lines, and it expresses the idea of sacrifice for one's country.

The poem begins with the speaker addressing his loved ones and asking them to remember him if he dies in battle. He tells them that they should not mourn his death, but instead be proud of him, for he has died fighting for his country. The first four lines of the poem are:

If I should die, think only this of me:

That there's some corner of a foreign field

That is forever England. There shall be

In that rich earth a richer dust concealed;

The speaker then goes on to describe the beauty of the English countryside and how it is forever linked to the memory of the soldier. He speaks of the "flowers" and "the English air" that will forever be associated with his memory. The poem continues with the following lines:

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.

The final four lines of the poem express the speaker's belief that even in death, he will still be a part of England. He imagines that his soul will live on in the English landscape and that his spirit will continue to inspire future generations. The poem concludes with the following lines:

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;

"The Soldier" is a poem that captures the sense of idealism and patriotism that characterized the early years of World War I. The poem is often seen as a celebration of sacrifice and the willingness to die for one's country. Brooke's use of imagery and language creates a powerful and moving tribute to the soldiers who fought and died in the war.

Bollywood movie "Border" (1997) directed by J.P. Dutta, is a war drama that portrays the bravery and sacrifices of Indian soldiers during the 1971 Indo-Pak war. The film has a strong sense of patriotism and nationalism, similar to the sentiments expressed in Brooke's poem.