Revision:World War I Poetry and Prose - Religion Quotes

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'Fall In' (Harold Begbie)

"England's call is God's" - using religion to justify the death and destruction of the war (i.e. "God is on our side").

'Peace' (Rupert Brooke)

"God be thanked Who has matched us with his hour" - God has given the soldier a glorious fate, almost prayer-like language.

'The Parson's Job' (Madeline Ida Bedford)

A poem about a woman who is visited by a parson, who attempts to comfort her after her husband's death, with promises of glory and heaven.

"I hate your religion;
I don't want gold;
I only want my man"

'Birdsong' (Sebastian Faulks)

Before the Somme, the men try to find courage through religion - "non-believers finding faith in fear"

Colonel Barclay trying to rally the troops - "God bless you all"

During the attack, Horrocks (the chaplain) watches the men advancing and being slaughtered - "he fell to his knees, but he did not pray".

Also, Horrocks "pulled the silver cross from his chest and hurled it from him"

'Oh! What A Lovely War' (Joan Littlewood)

General Haig says that "every step I take is guided by divine will".

I think that this is a good quote to use if you contrast what he's saying with the fact that he's at the top of a helter skelter at a fun fair - this juxtaposition emphasises the fact that to Haig, these are not men but numbers and he does not care about their fate - how can he be "guided by divine will" by sending these men out to die?

'Letters of A Lost Generation' (Vera Brittain)

"we must trust you to Time - and whatever it is that is called God"

"red, sweet wine of youth" - the men's sacrifice is Christ-like

'They' (Sassoon)

"The ways of God are strange!" - the Bishop is dismissive towards the men, "blaming" it on higher authority. He suggests that God has a reason for all the deaths, though Sassoon seems to question this.

'Regeneration' (Pat Barker)

"The ways of God are strange" - this might not be that useful, as I can't actually remember which part it's from or who says it, but I wrote it in my notes so I guess it's true!

'The Somme' (Peter Hart)

This book is a factual account of the Somme.

In a letter to his parents the day before the Somme(in which he was killed), an officer writes;

"I placed my soul and body in God's keeping...trusting implicitly in Him."

Comments

These notes are aimed at A Level English students at A2 level.

Originally written by little one on TSR Forums.