The Going of the Battery and Joining the Colours

The rhythm is very important and influential in this poem. It is very strong, consistent and follows a marching pattern which relates to the content of the poem and mirrors the actions of the soldiers. However, the continuous and powerful rhythm does not enhance the image of sorrow but instead creates a mood that is upbeat and cheerful, which is a striking difference. The rhythm contrasting with the content has a close connection with the idea of the men against the women; they produce a similar effect and share the same roles. The insistence and regularity of the rhythm reflects the marching and the attitude of the soldiers, whereas the impressions created by the language enhances the emotional images conveyed by the actions of the women. The strength of the beat in this poem gives the impression that the men are the dominant ones and the women are fighting in vain against something that can't be stopped - it is inevitable that the soldiers will go.

The relationship between the rhythm and the soldiers is emphasised in stanza 5 when the rhythm breaks down. A series of pauses and awkward sounds break down the rhythm and disrupt the flow of the verse, resulting in a change in mood. It comes at a point when the soldiers stop marching and move "...away under the arch" and is an example of how closely the rhythm represents the actions of the men. At this point, the language becomes prominent and the tone of the poem changes to one of sorrow and emotion. The words and content are emphasised and the images are heightened, for instance "...at last moved away...all we loved." and "...evermore are they lost to us." The break in the rhythm accentuates the message of the poem and has a powerful effect.

The rhyming scheme is also important and effective, enhancing the mood and flow of the words when combined with the rhythm. The regularity of the end rhyme, occurring in lines 2 and 4 in each stanza, contributes to the marching rhythm, but it is the internal rhyme within lines 1 and 3 that really stresses the beat. Each time internal rhyme is used, for instance "First to risk choosing them, leave alone losing them" the verse flows smoothly and an atmosphere is created making the poem seem jaunty and light-hearted. This combination of internal rhyme and strong rhythm makes the poem lilting and musical, and the mood becomes pleasant and positive.

The musicality in The Going of the Battery is very obvious and effective, and techniques are used throughout the poem to reinforce and strengthen the rhythm. The use of alliteration in stanza 3 for example, "Great guns were gleaming", is very effective in emphasising the beat and the images, and creating the mood. The hard sound of the 'g' that is repeated draws attention to these words and adds to the rhythm, and consequently the image of the weapons is emphasised. I think that the violent image of guns with the hard sound of the words produces an aggressive tone to the poem, in addition to strengthening the rhythm.

The Going of the Battery communicates both emotion and mood very effectively using language and rhythm.

Joining the Colours (2)

Joining the Colours is also written from an unusual perspective. The poem describes the send-off given to young soldiers on their way to war, taken from the point of view of a bystander; someone who is not directly involved with the event and is either watching from a distance or looking back on the past. This is shown in the first line of the poem, "There they go marching..." the use of the word 'there' gives the impression of detachment and distance; as if it is seen from afar or in a hazy memory. The speaker also makes a judgement on what she sees, and the irony and feeling of disapproval is always present in the poem. Between the colourful images and exciting description, there are mocking, sinister implications of what would come. The use of comments such as "...the way to glory and the grave" and "Foolish and young, the gay and golden boys" give the impression that the speaker knows about the war tragedies and is mocking people for feeling such excitement about sending soldiers to war, and to their deaths. Despite the criticisms, there is an element of sadness within the poem, which is especially striking in the last line of each stanza. The last line is much shorter than the others, forcing the reader to slow down and pay attention to the images raised, to consider the innocence of the soldiers and the tragedy of their deaths.

The rhythm in this poem is not as noticeable as in The Going of the Battery, but it still has a powerful effect in places. The rhythm in the poem is generally steady and continuous, a marching rhythm in relation to the content. It creates a mood that is upbeat, enhancing the image of soldiers being cheered and gaily going to war. However the last line of each stanza brings the rhythm to an abrupt standstill - it is much shorter and unexpected. This hesitation emphasises the ideas and images, and also the uncertainty concerning the future of the boys. It is like a reminder of reality and the true situation, opposed to the propaganda that promoted war and led to the celebrations.

Joining the Colours has an underlying sense of doubt and uncertainty in it - the description of the soldiers going "into the dark" gives the impression that the soldiers are doomed and are going into an unknown and threatening situation. The phrase "love cannot save" also raises the question of what danger lies ahead, and the images of inevitability and loss are emphasised.