“The Charge of the Light Brigade” By Alfred, Lord Tennyson Essay Example

captured by Russians but later released. His personal account of this event vividly describes what happened beyond what was reported in the Times.

In his account, he vividly portrays everything including the deaths of his friends and their horses, his own emotions, and the atmosphere. He recounts how his friend was "smashed by a shell" and ejected from his saddle while his horse kept going, "stepping on and tearing her insides" until she "collapsed with a peculiar scream." Additionally, he explains Sergeant Talbot's decapitation due to a shell while noting that his "headless body remained in the saddle with the lance still securely clutched." By detailing "the roar of the shells and bullets, the cheers, and cries of dying comrades," he describes the charge's atmosphere. He also mentions both his and his horse's injuries, as well as "local color." While it is probable that his report would not have been published due to its gruesome nature, it is more comprehensive and factual than the Times article.

In his writing, he neglects to mention certain individuals including Lord Cardigan, Captain Nolan, Lord Lucan, and Lord Raglan. The report in The Times is not entirely accurate and can be considered propaganda since it downplays the actual events and portrays them as glorious and well-planned. The report contains poetic language with metaphors such as "a halo of steel above their heads" and "the whole line of the enemy belched forth from thirty iron mouths". However, it provides specific details such as the start and end times of the charge and the distance between the cavalry and the cannons during the attack.

The significance of the Times report lies in its

ability to uplift British morale and shield them from the stark realities of war. If people were fully aware of the extent of horror, public support for the war would diminish and questions would arise about the government's motivation for putting soldiers at risk. The media glorifies war by focusing solely on bravery and valour while ignoring irresponsible leadership resulting in unnecessary death. Providing truthful accounts of war, as suggested by Wightman, could lead to better strategic planning and victory with fewer casualties. It would also force Lords to plan strategically instead of relying on their own self-importance and vanity to win battles while sparing the public from learning about army tactics that use soldiers as mere cannon fodder.