Being in the military, I related to this poem maybe the most out of all of the poems that I have read thus far. It is taught from day one to listen to those of power and never question their decisions nor their actions. In this poem, the reader finds that 600 men died following a wrong decision by a higher ranking official. The poem follows the "half a league" through their battle through cannon fire etc. It is also worth noting that line 16 references a line from Psalm 23. The significance of this line, shows that the 600 men had no fear because of their faith.
Understanding that those of higher ranking blundered and still follow into battle is a sign of respect. I understand the rationale because dying a warriors death is the most noblest ways of dying. Not all fell in battle, yet many did. Those that survived as said in the last stanza, they will be honored with no end in sight. Another relatable fact that I found is that all of the 600 followed into the war and yes some survived but mutany was not an option. They knew of the blunder, but did not followed anyway.
I relate to this poem because even today in the military today, decisions are still left up to those of higher ranking, no matter the risk.
I totally agree with you about the importance of respect in the military. I also was in the service and it is that respect that makes one stand apart from others. Doing what you are told by officers and not questioning the reason, is something that not all have. These 600 men knew there was little chance for victory but they had enough faith in themselves, their leaders and, as you pointed out, in God so that they would move forward, no matter the consequence.
ReplyDeleteTony,
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on having completed your 20th post (including a few you put on a different blog address). You should be proud of your accomplishments in this blog!
Very good final post, with an opportunity for you to engage mist deeply and personally with the text of Tennyson's poem due to your own military experience.
I like your blog. It makes a better blog when you can relate the poem to your personal life. I admire soldiers who can just follow any order without a second thought even if they are are pretty sure it is not the right decision. I am not sure I could have that much courage and discipline. I am sure glad that there are people in the world who are.
ReplyDeleteThe thought occurs to me that yes, these soldiers were brave and true to their commanders. We can look to them and follow their example. But we must also know that these commanders may at times ask us to do something that we must not do, such as firing on civilians, such as that that happened at Kent State in Ohio or Tiananmen Square in China. There have been cases of soldiers following orders and going to prison for following those orders.
ReplyDeleteThis blog got me thinking about why it is, as you put it, dying in battle is the noblest way to die. If they knew that they were going to loose, then why did they go? Why was it so important to follow orders? Was that honor really worth dying for? Perhaps it was to send a message about how important the trust between commander and troops is. Maybe it was a matter of surrendering the self for the good of the whole. Very interesting blog post.
ReplyDeleteI am positive that my level of courage is no where near that of the soldiers in the account of this battle. I have so much respect for a group of men that could charge into battle knowing they likely would not make it out alive. Although, one thing I found interesting when I researched this topic (doing it for my paper) was that many historians believe the men rode into battle because if they didn't they were likely to die of illness. In those days, soldiers who died of illness did not receive a pension for their families like those who died in battle. It really gives you something to look at. Even if that was the truth, how courageous for men to want what was best for their families and be willing to die to continue to support them financially.
ReplyDeleteYou said that you have to listen to those of power and never question their decisions nor their actions. I understand that in the military its all about the chain of command, but even those who are in command can make wrong decisions. So this made me wonder, if officer of command told you to do something life threatening and your knowledge and gut told you nothing good can come from this, do you have a choice to disagree or do you still proceed?
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