Patriotism, Remembrance & War

“Our flag does not fly because the wind moves it.
It flies with the last breath of each soldier who died protecting it.

~Gary Brown

Analysis...

Always remember those who have died while serving our country. In Flanders Field, by John Mcrea, was written in 1915 which was during WW1 so it makes sense that this is the tragedy that Mr. McRae was trying to comemberate.He says things like “we lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,” showing that the people he is talking about are in the past tense so they are dead. It also straight up says “we are the dead.” Which is a very Subtle hint that they are dead. The main theme I feel is to remember the fallen. The people that fought in WW1 fought for our freedom that we ungratefully enjoy today. This poem shows the sacrifice and pain these men and their families went through. Even on a beautiful plane, Flanders Field, that is described with poppies and Larks singing, became the sight of a battle. This poem strongly conveys the idea that everything at the time was war and sacrifice for your country, and the horror combined with Beauty that came along with that.

Reflection...

This poem is short, but Fitz says “it's made of diamonds.” It is a very good poem, and I’ve wanted to do it for a whilebut I wasn’t allowed to for the last two years. This poem interests me because it has a very deep meaning, but if you just read it once then it's not that deep and it's hard to understand. I’m right in the middle right now because I am starting to understand it but not fully yet. I am not looking to win the contest, I am looking for two main things. A sense of pride while reading it in front of everyone, and to remember it in the next couple days.