Route March

The poem is about soldiers marching through hills and vales towards active battle, and more than likely to their death. The narrator rather than being solemn and mourning their death is asking the young gallant soldiers to rejoice. After all over and over he explains to them that they are give giving up their lives for a noble cause. The sacrifice they are making will allow others to enjoy their freedom and they should be joyous at the reward that God will bestow them in heaven.

This overall theme is expressed by 3 main literary devices: imagery, allusion and sound.

Firstly in imagery death is not described as a horrific, painful or bloody gruesome process but is akin to the peace of mind and gentleness of sleep. This enforces a positive image which is not normally associated to the end of ones life. " So be glad when you are sleeping" and " So you may be glad through sleeping". The imagery conjures up comfort and rest that soldiers are usually deprived of. Further, the imagery of Earth, hills and nature again bring up the imagery of soothing nature which belies the reality of the noise and violence of the battle field." Earth that blossomed" and " From the hills and valleys earth" " Earth that was blossomed and was glad". A lot of the imagery is obviously false and given simply to motivate and encourage the young, scared and weary young soldiers.

Secondly allusions are used both of a Greek mythology and biblical theme. Jesus Christ and Barabbas give us religious Christian allusions. Christ made the ultimate sacrifice to die on the cross to save the sins of the world while Pontius Pilate allowed the crowd to set Barabbas free. Here some soldiers in a roulette wheel game of chance may give the ultimate sacrifice of their life or live to fight the next battle." both were found the same day" again shows that fate good or bad will be decided today itself for the soldiers. " Neath the cross that Christ had" shows that all the soldiers have their own cross to bear and drag across the field in the same way Christ dragged his cross to the hill to be crucified. Also, the poet mentions Socrates who in Greek historical reference was tried and convicted as was Jesus and was forced to endure death by drinking the poison hemlock just as the soldiers have been put on trial and given the verdict of death by battle.

The third device used is sound. The rhythmic tone of the poem parallels the marching sounds of the soldiers feet. The rhythm repetitive tone and references to song are all used to motivate soldiers as they march in unison and energise them to victory. This sound is maintained throughout the poem and adds to give the poem not sadness but merriment, joy and gladdened hearts." tramp of feet and lilt of song", " energies men, " On marching men on to the gates of death with song" and, "Wherfore, men marching on the road to death sing" to name a few references to sound.

The poem shows that a person's time on this earth is limited and simply a transition to the real everlasting after life. It is far more noble and productive to have a short but meaningful life than a long but meaningless one.