by:Alfred,Lord Tennyson
Paraphrase of the Poem
Stanza 1
Six hundred soldiers in the Light Brigade are riding steadily towards enemy forces which are 'half a league'away.Someone gives them an order to charge forward towards the enemy cannons in a valley
Stanza 2
The poet gives us a glimpse of the soldiers'thoughts.We understand that they are not worried about the consequences although they sense that the order to charge the enemy is a mistake.It may sound foolish but as soldiers they have a duty to perform without question even if death is the ultimate end for them.Obediently,they ride into the 'valley of death'.
Stanza 3
The six hundred soldiers are bombarded on both sides and from the front.Bullets and cannon balls rain down on them.We can imagine,see and feel the atmosphere on the battlefield-cannons to the left and right firing their deadly volleys,screams of the dying soldiers,and the sound of bullets ringing in their ears.The men ride boldly forward to what is most likely certain death
Theme
The main theme is courage.Six hundred soldiers are ordered to charge at an enemy that is far superior to them in terms of number and firepower.They do not cringe with fear or question their commander.The know the futility of the command but they are prepared to fight and die as honourable soldiers
Another theme is warfare.The poem describes the confusion,the terror and the bloodshed in war.War may sometimes be necessary but it does not make the death of the soldiers fighting in it any less tragic
Duty is a theme in the poem.The soldiers in the Light Brigade are just doing their job;they are soldiers and it is their duty to fight.That is what makes them appealing and heroic to the reader.This is also what makes their their deaths tragic.The men in the Brigade do not need to go on a suicide mission and charge their enemies,they know that,but they do it anyway.They have been given an order and it is their duty as soldiers to follow it.
The poem also deals with the theme of heroism and patriotism.The poem is a tribute to the selfless courage of the soldiers in the Light Brigade.They died fighting for their country.
Death is everywhere in this poem.The poem does not tell us how many of the brave soldiers in the Light Brigade die in this battle.But death is a constant presence,almost like a character.The valley where the charge takes place belongs to 'Death';we hear all about his jaws,and so forth.
Theme
The main theme is courage.Six hundred soldiers are ordered to charge at an enemy that is far superior to them in terms of number and firepower.They do not cringe with fear or question their commander.The know the futility of the command but they are prepared to fight and die as honourable soldiers
Another theme is warfare.The poem describes the confusion,the terror and the bloodshed in war.War may sometimes be necessary but it does not make the death of the soldiers fighting in it any less tragic
Duty is a theme in the poem.The soldiers in the Light Brigade are just doing their job;they are soldiers and it is their duty to fight.That is what makes them appealing and heroic to the reader.This is also what makes their their deaths tragic.The men in the Brigade do not need to go on a suicide mission and charge their enemies,they know that,but they do it anyway.They have been given an order and it is their duty as soldiers to follow it.
The poem also deals with the theme of heroism and patriotism.The poem is a tribute to the selfless courage of the soldiers in the Light Brigade.They died fighting for their country.
Death is everywhere in this poem.The poem does not tell us how many of the brave soldiers in the Light Brigade die in this battle.But death is a constant presence,almost like a character.The valley where the charge takes place belongs to 'Death';we hear all about his jaws,and so forth.
No comments:
Post a Comment