Skip to content
Oak National Academy
Oak National Academy
Teachers
Pupils
New
New
Year 10
Eduqas

Understanding ideas of patriotism and optimism in Brooke's 'The Soldier'

I can understand how Brooke presents the experience of dying at war.

Download all resources
Share activities with pupils
New
New
Year 10
Eduqas

Understanding ideas of patriotism and optimism in Brooke's 'The Soldier'

I can understand how Brooke presents the experience of dying at war.

Download all resources
Share activities with pupils

Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. Brooke’s patriotism is evident in this poem - he views England as paradise.
  2. Brooke’s poem arguably glorifies war - he presents an idealistic view of war.
  3. Brooke arguably presents death in war as the ultimate display of patriotism and bravery.
  4. The poem was praised when is was published in 1915, however modern readers may view this poem as naive.
  5. Despite his bravery and patriotism, Brooke never actually fought in the war - he died of infection on a ship.

Common misconception

Pupils might think that Brooke fought and died in the war because he wrote a war poem.

Although Brooke bravely volunteered to fight in the war, he never actually engaged in any military action. Unfortunately, Brooke died from septicaemia on a ship en route to battle.

Keywords

  • Patriotism - having or expressing devotion to and support for one's country

  • Sacrifice - to give up something valuable for the benefit of others

  • Devotion - an unwavering commitment to something

  • Idealistic - having unrealistic expectations

  • To glorify - to praise something or make it seem good or special, usually when it is not

Throughout the lesson, you could make links and comparisons to other war poems and other war poets' attitudes towards war e.g. Wilfred Owen - how do their attitudes compare and why might this be?
Teacher tip

Equipment

You will need access to a copy of the Eduqas poetry anthology for this lesson.

Content guidance

  • Depiction or discussion of sensitive content
  • Depiction or discussion of violence or suffering

Supervision

Adult supervision recommended

Licence

This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2024), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).

Video

Skip video

Loading...

Starter quiz

Download starter quiz

6 Questions

Q1.
World War began in 1914 and ended in 1918.
Correct Answer: One, 1, I
Q2.
What is the name commonly given to this kind of poster, that encouraged young men to go to war?
An image in a quiz
Correct Answer: propaganda, propaganda poster
Q3.
Which of the following poets was a famous war poet?
Correct answer: Wilfred Owen
Edgar Allan Poe
John Keats
John Agard
Q4.
What is the name given to words which create a strong picture in the reader's mind?
onomatopoeia
rhetoric
simile
Correct answer: imagery
mirroring
Q5.
Which of the following are true of World War One?
it was won by the Germans and their allies
Correct answer: chemical warfare was used for the first time
a nuclear bomb was used for the first time
Correct answer: it was mostly fought in the trenches
Correct answer: tanks were introduced to the front line
Q6.
Why do you think war poetry was popular in the 20th century?
it was considered of higher literary quality than other poems
it offered a purely anti-war perspective
Correct answer: it offered insight into what war on the frontlines might have really been like
it motivated young men to go to war
Q2 Granger / Bridgeman Images (not included in subscription)

Exit quiz

Download exit quiz

6 Questions

Q1.
How did Rupert Brooke die?
he was shot by a machine gun in France
he died of influenza in hospital after the war
he committed suicide on the way back from war
Correct answer: he died of infection on a boat on the way to war
Q2.
Which of the following sentences uses the word 'idealistic' correctly?
Brooke's idealistic was to die for the country he loved so much.
Brooke was idealistic in thinking he might die in the war.
Correct answer: Brooke presents us with an idealistic view of war.
England is presented as an idealistic mother in the poem.
Q3.
is having or expressing devotion to and support for one's country.
Correct Answer: Patriotism, Being patriotic, patriotic
Q4.
Starting with the first, put these events relating to 'The Soldier' and Rupert Brooke's life in chronological order.
1 - Rupert Brooke begins writing poetry
2 - At the outbreak of war, Rupert Brooke immediately volunteers
3 - During his first posting, Brooke experiences no military action
4 - 'The Soldier' is published along with four other sonnets
5 - Rupert Brooke dies during WW1
Q5.
Which of the following may have been reasons for the popularity of 'The Soldier' with the Government?
Correct answer: It expressed a patriotic attitude that they wanted to instil in young men.
It instructed people to volunteer for the war.
It expressed gratitude to the Government's military operations.
Correct answer: It presented dying for one's country as honourable.
Q6.
What is the effect of Brooke presenting England as a mother figure in 'The Soldier'?
it shows that Brooke was not family orientated
Correct answer: it presents dying for one's country as an honourable and noble sacrifice
Correct answer: it shows Brooke's patriotism
it shows how supportive the Government is of the soldiers at war