Pro-War Poems in Up the Line to Death

advanced age. Consequently, they had to base their poems on information obtained from secondary sources. Hardy even wrote "Charge of the Light Brigade" based solely on a newspaper article. As a result, their poems seem more disengaged and lack the emotional intensity present in firsthand accounts. This becomes evident upon closer analysis of the poems. To begin with...

Both poems utilize personification of England to convey the presentation of war, highlighting the numerous similarities between them.

The poets use language to make it appear as though England approves of soldiers going to war, portraying a pro-war stance. Depicting England as a woman in the poems reinforces the soldiers' duty to fight and protect their motherland, as sons are typically protective of their mothers.

In her work "Happy," Freeman incorporates abundant natural imagery, including...

England's beauty, from its serene woods and lush fields to bustling towns, needed protection from potential attacks. The asyndetic list, emphasizing natural wonder, presents war as a necessary and noble pursuit. On the other hand, "Men."

The poem "Happy..." has no specific reference to England and tackles the theme of war in a broader sense. This ambiguity distinguishes it from the other poems, as it lacks any display of optimism towards the conflict. As a technique, this approach serves to deliver a certain message about war.

. The language used is archaic and mythological, with words like "destroying dragon" and alliteration, which alludes to England's historic glory and may refer to St. George's victory over the mythical beast. This emphasizes England's cultural legacy and emphasizes the soldiers' responsibility to protect and defend a land with such a rich history. This idea is echoed by the phrase

"England".

Using archaic language such as "ye" and "giveth," Hodgson creates a sense of history, much like "Happy" does.

. "Men... " employs a highly engaging method to underscore the significance of safeguarding it.

At the beginning, Hardy employs elevated and magnificent words such as "victory crowns the just", however, in his depiction of the enemy's demise, he shifts to language that is more straightforward, saying that "braggarts must/Surely bite the dust".

Incorporating grand language for positive elements and converting to lower register creates a sarcastic effect in this poem, similar to others by Hardy. The purpose is to mock the widespread belief that everything is bright and positive despite the ongoing war. Opposed to the common view at the time that anticipated a quick victory and a crushed opposition, Hardy uses the word "surely" satirically. Compared to Freeman and Hodgson, Hardy presents a different perspective on war, ultimately creating a less pro-war poem. However, this viewpoint is debatable in "Happy."

"...and 'England...

The war's negative aspects are mentioned only to a limited degree, with euphemisms being preferred. Curiously, the word "war" does not appear in any of the poems. In "England..." for instance, the euphemism "beloved sleep" is employed to signify death. References to death exist but are intended to emphasize the war's grandeur rather than its horror.

This paragraph highlights how Freeman uses the phrase "Happy is England in the brave that die" to convey the idea that death is seen as a source of happiness. The word "brave" suggests that those who die for their country will do so for a noble cause, which is perceived as a way of defending their homeland.

The technique of "Steeled to

suffer uncomplaining/Loss and failure, pain and death" is also utilized. While the subject matter is grave, Hodgson emphasizes that the soldiers' efforts are not fruitless. By constructing a syntactically coordinated list and emphasizing that England appreciates the soldiers' courage in enduring hardship without complaint, Hodgson highlights the soldiers' willingness to sacrifice their lives for their country.

Despite the largely positive tone of the poem, Hodgson's stance is reversed in its final line, in which he acknowledges the difficult realities of war and expresses his need for "a little space to weep." This last line stands out even more strongly because it contradicts the rest of the poem.

The phrase "bite the dust" is a euphemism that refers to death and is used as the only mention of it.

The other poems use euphemisms to avoid the horrors of the war, but in this one, it is used to emphasize death, making it more powerful than simply saying 'death'. The change in register also highlights the significance of death in war. This contrasting approach to war makes the poem ambiguous in its stance compared to other poems. Another method of presenting war in the poems is through religious imagery and the concept of purity.

Both "Men..." and "Happy..." contain the concept of religious imagery.

Despite serving different purposes in their respective poems, the concept of "faith and fire" is present. In "Men..." by Hardy, it is specified that this sentiment belongs solely to the men and is not shared by the author.

He adds a sarcastic tone to the concept of faith and the behavior of soldiers who believe in it. The repetition in the stanza emphasizes his stance

that religion does not contribute to the soldiers' triumph against their foes. On the other hand, "England…

Religion serves as a morale booster for soldiers with the phrase "Go, and may the God of battles..." suggesting divine support and eliminating fear. The importance of the context at the time must not be overlooked as religion held greater significance and prevalence in society than it does today.

As religious beliefs were strong, Hodgson used a statement that would have a significant impact on people, providing comfort that God was supporting them. This approach presents the war in a positive light and asserts that God guides and approves of their efforts. While "Happy..." does not mention religion explicitly, it touches on the theme of purity.

Freeman insinuates that engaging in war provides a sense of fulfilment and therefore, soldiers should fulfill their obligation and fight. The arrangement of the poems reflects their content and portrayal of war. In "England...

The regular rhythm of the stanza resembles a marching chant, emphasising the soldiers' approach to war. This effect is present for the first four lines but breaks down in the fifth line, which is longer and lacks an evident rhyme scheme. This variation attracts attention to the final lines, allowing for a more in-depth analysis of their meaning. Hodgson's key messages are often conveyed through these concluding lines, including the reference to England grieving the loss of her sons.

Likewise, the poem "Men Who March Away" has a hymn-like quality, but it serves to highlight the satirical tone of the war instead of promoting it. The title of the poem is in sync with its marching rhythm. Hardy specifically employs

the term "away" to indicate that the soldiers are leaving, perhaps never to return.

In general, the poem's theme of the negative impact of war is strengthened. In contrast, "Happy" has a consistent structure with six lines in each stanza throughout, which may mirror the regularity of war as a norm and thus support a pro-war stance. Overall, the three poems analyzed present varying perspectives on war. "Happy"...

Both "America's Call to Arms" and "England's Duty" share a pro-war sentiment, making them similar in essence. However, their methods of conveying this message differ significantly.

It is natural that Hodgson, as a participant in the war, held a different perspective compared to Freeman who, being too old, likely wrote solely for financial gain and not with a personal connection to the war. The difference can be seen in their poems where "England..." is more emotionally charged than "Happy."

According to the context, it appears that the "odd one out" is perceived as more distant, whereas the rest are considered as "Men."

The poem is highly ambiguous regarding the war, with opinions divided over whether it promotes or criticizes it. Notably, its satirical tone sets it apart from other poems on the topic and emphasizes its unique approach.

What makes Gardner's placement of this poem intriguing is the fact that it follows "Fourth of August" in the anthology. This order suggests a predominantly pro-war sentiment for the rest of the collection. However, the inclusion of "Men..." offers an interesting alternative perspective.

Gardner emphasizes that the anthology is not about portraying the war positively, but rather acknowledging the "unparalleled tragedy" it caused. He wants to ensure that the reader remembers the soldiers

and recognizes that the anthology serves as a "tribute" to them. The statement serves as a stark reminder of this fact.