'England to Her Sons'

'England to Her Sons'- William Hodgson

Form:

• 3 Stanzas (length 5 lines)
• Rhythm- 8, 7, 8, 7, 15 (bpl)
• Stress- second syllable

Meaning/message:

The poem can be seen to have two meanings. Whilst the country itself is personified as the mother, because of this, the poem can be seen to represent individual mothers, who encourage the "sons" to join the army and be courageous in the suffering they will inevitably endure.

Important quotes:

• "Sons of mine"- personifies England, plurality shows how all able men were expected to fight.
• "hear you thrilling"- personified, the present continuous verb is powerful and shows how propaganda encouraged them to be excited.
• "trumpet call of war"- metaphor that suggests the men were enlisted by a single sound (very reactive/responsive)
• "As I gave your sires before"- historical significance, the idea that war is continuous
• "noblest of children I in love and anguish bore"- superlative, suggests that those who enlist are superior, personification makes it very personal. Suggests they are loved by their country.
• "wise in justice"- the idea of the enemy, that they have the just cause
• "Fearing but dishonour's breath"- use of "but" suggests there is nothing else to fear, almost dehumanises…