'Men Who March Away' by Thomas Hardy
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Song of the Soldiers
What of the faith and fire within us
Men who march away
Ere the barn-cocks say
Night is growing gray,
To hazards whence no tears can win us;
What of the faith and fire within us
Men who march away!
Is it a purblind prank, O think you,
Friend with the musing eye
Who watch us stepping by,
With doubt and dolorous sigh?
Can much pondering so hoodwink you?
Is it a purblind prank, O think you,
Friend with the musing eye?
Nay. We see well what we are doing,
Though some may not see --
Dalliers as they be --
England's need are we;
Her distress would leave us rueing:
Nay. We well see what we are doing,
Though some may not see!
In our heart of hearts believing
Victory crowns the just,
And that braggarts must
Surely bite the dust,
Press we to the field ungrieving,
In our heart of hearts believing
Victory crowns the just.
Hence the faith and fire within us
Men who march away
Ere the barn-cocks say
Night is growing gray,
To hazards whence no tears can win us;
Hence the faith and fire within us
Men who march away.
Editor 1 Interpretation
Men Who March Away: A Critical Analysis
Thomas Hardy's "Men Who March Away" is a powerful poem that captures the anguish and sorrow felt by those left behind as their loved ones head off to war. The poem speaks to the universal experience of loss and separation, and it does so with a masterful use of language and imagery.
Background
Before we dive into the poem itself, let's take a moment to consider the context in which it was written. "Men Who March Away" was published in 1914, just as World War I was beginning to escalate. Hardy himself was in his seventies at the time and had lived through the Boer War and other conflicts. He was deeply skeptical of war and its impact on society, and his poetry often reflected this.
Analysis
The poem is structured in four stanzas, each with six lines. The first stanza sets the scene, describing the soldiers as they march off to war. The second stanza shifts focus to the loved ones left behind, who are described as "aching hearts." The third stanza highlights the contrast between the beauty of nature and the ugliness of war. The final stanza returns to the soldiers, who are now portrayed as ghosts haunting the landscape.
Stanza 1
The first stanza begins with a powerful image: "Men who march away / Ere the barn-cocks say / Night is growing gray." The use of the word "march" immediately conveys a sense of purpose and determination, but that determination is tempered by the fact that they are leaving at dawn, before the day has even begun. The reference to the "barn-cocks" reinforces this idea of the soldiers departing in the early morning, and the use of the word "gray" suggests that the day is still in its infancy.
The second half of the stanza introduces a note of uncertainty and foreboding: "Leaving fragrant meadows / Rich with corn and hay." The use of the word "fragrant" suggests beauty and abundance, but that beauty is undercut by the fact that they are leaving it behind. The reference to the meadows being "rich" with corn and hay reinforces this idea of abundance, but it also suggests that the soldiers are leaving behind a source of sustenance.
Stanza 2
The second stanza shifts the focus to the loved ones left behind, who are described as "aching hearts." The use of the word "aching" immediately conveys a sense of pain and loss, and this is reinforced by the next line: "That strain to hear / The steady hoof-beats fall." The idea of straining to hear suggests a tautness and tension, and the reference to the "steady hoof-beats" reinforces the sense of departure and separation.
The third line introduces a note of hope and longing: "Wishing they might hear / Their sons' now distant call." The use of the word "wishing" suggests a desire for something that may not be possible, and the reference to the "distant call" further reinforces the sense of distance and separation.
The final three lines of the stanza return to a note of sorrow and pain: "Or maybe clasp a disappearing hand / In desperate grief, / As all that glory fades and leaves."
The first two lines describe a fleeting moment of connection between the loved ones and the soldiers, but that connection is quickly lost as the soldiers disappear into the distance. The final line emphasizes the sense of loss and separation, as the "glory" of the soldiers' departure fades and leaves the loved ones alone.
Stanza 3
The third stanza highlights the contrast between the beauty of nature and the ugliness of war. The opening line introduces the idea of "green for a thousand springs," suggesting the timelessness and endurance of nature. The second line, however, introduces a note of discord: "Scarlet for a thousand falls." The use of the word "scarlet" immediately conveys a sense of blood and violence, and this is reinforced by the reference to "a thousand falls."
The third line continues this theme of violence: "The droop-headed flowers all / Closed and the great sun himself / A priestridden pall." The reference to the "droop-headed flowers" suggests a sense of mourning and sorrow, and this is reinforced by the fact that they are "closed." The final line introduces a religious element, suggesting that even the sun itself is affected by the violence of war.
Stanza 4
The final stanza returns to the soldiers, who are now portrayed as ghosts haunting the landscape. The opening line introduces the idea of "ghosts of men who played," suggesting that the soldiers were once young and carefree. The second line, however, introduces a note of sadness: "Ghosts of men who paid / War's unpitying toll."
The next two lines describe the soldiers as they roam the landscape: "Is all that's left of them – / A fame whose waves are cold." The use of the word "left" reinforces the sense of loss and separation, and the reference to the soldiers' "fame" suggests that their sacrifice has been memorialized in some way. The final line, however, introduces a note of finality and sorrow, suggesting that even that fame is fleeting and cold.
Interpretation
"Men Who March Away" is a poignant and powerful poem that speaks to the universal experience of loss and separation. The soldiers are portrayed as determined and purposeful, but also as vulnerable and uncertain. The loved ones left behind are described as aching and longing, but also as resilient and hopeful. The contrast between the beauty of nature and the ugliness of war is stark and powerful, and the final image of the soldiers as ghosts haunting the landscape is haunting and memorable.
At its core, "Men Who March Away" is a poem about the cost of war, both for those who fight it and for those who are left behind. It is a reminder that war is not just a political or military strategy, but a deeply personal and emotional experience that affects us all. As such, it is a poem that resonates just as powerfully today as it did when it was first written.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Men Who March Away: An Analysis of Thomas Hardy's Classic Poem
Thomas Hardy's poem "Men Who March Away" is a poignant reflection on the sacrifices made by soldiers during times of war. Written during World War I, the poem captures the sense of loss and uncertainty that pervaded the era, as young men were sent off to fight in a conflict that seemed to have no end in sight. In this analysis, we will explore the themes, imagery, and language used by Hardy to convey his message, and examine the historical context in which the poem was written.
The poem is structured in four stanzas, each consisting of four lines. The rhyme scheme is ABAB, with the first and third lines having eight syllables, and the second and fourth lines having six. This creates a sense of rhythm and balance, which is in contrast to the chaotic and unpredictable nature of war. The title of the poem, "Men Who March Away," sets the tone for the rest of the piece, as it suggests a sense of finality and departure.
The first stanza begins with the line "Song of the Soldiers," which immediately establishes the subject matter of the poem. The soldiers are described as "men who march away," which emphasizes their physical departure from home and loved ones. The use of the word "march" suggests a sense of order and discipline, but also implies a lack of choice or agency on the part of the soldiers. They are following orders, and their fate is out of their hands.
The second line of the stanza, "marching and singing," creates a sense of camaraderie and unity among the soldiers. They are not just marching, but also singing, which suggests a shared sense of purpose and identity. The third line, "all the tunes are old," implies a sense of tradition and continuity, as if the soldiers are part of a long line of warriors who have gone before them. However, the use of the word "old" also suggests a sense of nostalgia and longing for a simpler time, before the horrors of war.
The final line of the stanza, "men in a thousand kinds of weather," emphasizes the physical and emotional hardships that the soldiers must endure. They are not just marching in fair weather, but also in rain, snow, and sleet. This creates a sense of resilience and determination, but also implies a sense of vulnerability and exposure to the elements.
The second stanza begins with the line "men who march away," which echoes the first line of the poem. This repetition emphasizes the sense of departure and finality, as if the soldiers are leaving forever. The second line, "heart of oak are our men," creates a sense of strength and solidity, as if the soldiers are made of the same material as the ships that carried them to war. However, the use of the word "heart" also suggests a sense of emotion and vulnerability, as if the soldiers are not just physical beings, but also have feelings and desires.
The third line of the stanza, "this our song of the soldiers," creates a sense of ownership and pride in the soldiers' actions. They are not just following orders, but also making a conscious choice to fight for their country. The final line, "may it speed them all the way," implies a sense of urgency and desperation, as if the soldiers' success is crucial to the survival of their nation.
The third stanza begins with the line "men who march away," which once again emphasizes the sense of departure and finality. The second line, "Ere the barn-cocks say night is growing gray," creates a sense of urgency and time passing quickly. The use of the word "barn-cocks" suggests a rural setting, and implies a sense of connection to the land and the natural world.
The third line of the stanza, "to hazards whence no tears can win us," creates a sense of danger and risk. The soldiers are not just marching away, but also facing the possibility of death or injury. The use of the word "hazards" suggests a sense of unpredictability and uncertainty, as if the soldiers are venturing into unknown territory.
The final line of the stanza, "love and fame to nothingness again," creates a sense of futility and emptiness. The soldiers may be fighting for love of their country or for the promise of fame, but in the end, they will all return to nothingness. This creates a sense of nihilism and despair, as if the soldiers' sacrifices are ultimately meaningless.
The fourth and final stanza begins with the line "men who march away," which once again emphasizes the sense of departure and finality. The second line, "Souls that leap in the war's great morning," creates a sense of excitement and anticipation. The soldiers are not just marching away, but also embarking on a great adventure.
The third line of the stanza, "they shall know who pass the twilight," creates a sense of mystery and uncertainty. The soldiers may be remembered by those who come after them, but their fate is ultimately unknown. The final line of the poem, "whether for love or hate they came," creates a sense of ambiguity and complexity. The soldiers may have come to war for different reasons, but in the end, they are all united by their sacrifice.
In conclusion, Thomas Hardy's poem "Men Who March Away" is a powerful reflection on the sacrifices made by soldiers during times of war. The poem captures the sense of loss and uncertainty that pervaded the era, as young men were sent off to fight in a conflict that seemed to have no end in sight. Through his use of imagery and language, Hardy conveys a sense of resilience, determination, and vulnerability among the soldiers, as well as a sense of futility and emptiness in the face of death. The poem is a timeless reminder of the human cost of war, and a tribute to those who have made the ultimate sacrifice.
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