next to of course god america i

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(Title - next to of course god america i)
The title already shows a lack of respect and insignificance. This is shown by the lower case letters for 'god' and 'america'.
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"next to of course god america..."
This shows that the speaker knows what he's expected to say. He also links America with God, possibly to please listeners.
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"...god america...pilgrims'..."
These are nouns, both with a lack of capital letters. This could show that perhaps they are being portrayed as equals. This is also very clique - it's an expectation of what a politician should say. It shows that he doesn't care or is pressured.
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"...and so forth..."
This suggests that the speaker can't be bothered to be specific - it's very dismissive and makes us, as readers, doubt his integrity. It's almost sarcastic.
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"...what of it we should worry..."
Again this is very dismissive and shows a lack of care - it undermines his commitment.
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"...in every language even deafanddumb thy sons acclaim your glorious name..."
Overall this is a very unrealistic claim - a politician's empty promise; we start to wonder if he's telling the truth. "deafanddumb" - a) talking quickly showing insignificance b) not distinguishing between the two.
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"...glorious name..."
This is a clear clique - it automatically lowers the credibility of the speaker.
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"...by gorry..."
This word has been mispronounced - he's speaking so hastily that he's said 'gorry' instead of 'golly.' This supports the fact that he's speaking fast and the enjambment shows this too.
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"...by gorry by jingo by gee by gosh by gum..."
This line is very childish; perhaps he is correcting himself but either way he is reading it fast, with a lack of importance. This is also American slang, which lessens the importance - maybe he's trying to show that he can relate to ordinary people.
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"...why talk of beauty what could be more beaut-iful..."
The word 'beauty' is a shallow compliment and shows lack of meaning. Breaking up the word 'beautiful' suggests hesitation. But maybe that there is no complete beauty, as conflict breaks up everything. It sounds as though he's contradicting himself.
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"...heroic happy dead..."
The word 'heroic' is again a clique - shows unimportance. The phrase of 'heroic happy' is a juxtaposition - it questions patriotic motivations.
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"...who rushed like lions to the roaring slaughter..."
'Lions' are usually associated with pride and makes them sound significant. The simile creates an animalistic image in our minds which dehumanises the soldiers. It creates a powerful image of battle and death, and may imply that death is inevitable.
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"...they did not stop to think they died instead..."
This line is open to alternative interpretation: a) praising their heroics b) making it sound as though they didn't think their actions through properly c) questioning their patriotism.
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"...then shall the voice of liberty be mute?"
This line is very provocative and includes a stirring rhetorical question to finish with. However it is confusing: a) Is he encouraging more people to fight? b) Does he think he represents the 'voice of liberty' speaking for the country?"
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"He spoke. And drank rapidly a glass of water"
This is the most gramatically spoke sentence. It introduces the 2nd speaker and the gap suggests this. The poet wants readers to realise he is in disagreement from the speaker's opinions.
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"...drank rapidly a glass of water"
This could either suggest that he's nervous or perhaps he will carry on speaking.
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Line 3
Line from the 'Star Spangled Banner', the U.S National Anthem.
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Line 4
Line from 'My Country, tis of thee', the U.S National Anthem until 1931.
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Line 5
A reference to a speech from Shakespeare's Machbeth.
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Line 7
From the Bible, referring to God.
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Line 8
Taken from a popular song of the time.
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Line 11
Referrence to a political poem by Shelley where he urges people to 'rise like lions after slumber' and bring down British government.
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(Steals)
Stealing is what politicians do - it isn't credible and makes us feel that his heart isn't in it.
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(Hubris)
The poem creates hubrism; which suggests war is created by hubris - God (line 7), Nationalism (line 3 + 4) and personal ambition (line 5).
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Other cards in this set

Card 2

Front

"next to of course god america..."

Back

This shows that the speaker knows what he's expected to say. He also links America with God, possibly to please listeners.

Card 3

Front

"...god america...pilgrims'..."

Back

Preview of the front of card 3

Card 4

Front

"...and so forth..."

Back

Preview of the front of card 4

Card 5

Front

"...what of it we should worry..."

Back

Preview of the front of card 5
View more cards

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