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Questions and Answers
What event significantly influenced the writing of the poem?
What event significantly influenced the writing of the poem?
- The Crimean War (correct)
- The Battle of Waterloo
- The Franco-Prussian War
- The Spanish-American War
What was the main goal of the British forces in the Crimean War?
What was the main goal of the British forces in the Crimean War?
- To secure an alliance with France
- To capture Sebastopol (correct)
- To protect trade routes to India
- To defend British colonies
What was one consequence of the charge by the Light Brigade?
What was one consequence of the charge by the Light Brigade?
- High casualties among British soldiers (correct)
- Achievement of a crucial military victory
- Strengthened public support for war
- Increase in military funding
How did public sentiment change after the charge of the Light Brigade?
How did public sentiment change after the charge of the Light Brigade?
What specific mistake led to the tragic charge of the Light Brigade?
What specific mistake led to the tragic charge of the Light Brigade?
In the context of the poem, what sentiment were people expecting from Tennyson?
In the context of the poem, what sentiment were people expecting from Tennyson?
What was the initial public perception of war before the incident?
What was the initial public perception of war before the incident?
How many horses were lost during the charge of the Light Brigade?
How many horses were lost during the charge of the Light Brigade?
What literary device is predominantly used by the poet to create a majestic atmosphere?
What literary device is predominantly used by the poet to create a majestic atmosphere?
What does the phrase 'the valley of Death' allude to in the poem?
What does the phrase 'the valley of Death' allude to in the poem?
What is the primary function of a light brigade in military terms?
What is the primary function of a light brigade in military terms?
How does Tennyson portray the soldiers' response to their orders despite the mistakes of their commanding officer?
How does Tennyson portray the soldiers' response to their orders despite the mistakes of their commanding officer?
What overarching theme is reflected in the poem regarding military discipline?
What overarching theme is reflected in the poem regarding military discipline?
In the context of the poem, what does 'blunder' refer to?
In the context of the poem, what does 'blunder' refer to?
What criticism did some people have about 'The Charge of the Light Brigade'?
What criticism did some people have about 'The Charge of the Light Brigade'?
What sentiment does Tennyson convey regarding the cost of life in the Battle of Balaclava?
What sentiment does Tennyson convey regarding the cost of life in the Battle of Balaclava?
Which group primarily criticized the poem?
Which group primarily criticized the poem?
How is Tennyson's view of the Light Brigade characterized in the poem?
How is Tennyson's view of the Light Brigade characterized in the poem?
What effect did Tennyson's oral performance have on the poem?
What effect did Tennyson's oral performance have on the poem?
How did the poem affect the morale of British soldiers according to the content?
How did the poem affect the morale of British soldiers according to the content?
What legendary effect of the poem is mentioned in the content?
What legendary effect of the poem is mentioned in the content?
Which statement regarding the poem's historical accuracy is presented?
Which statement regarding the poem's historical accuracy is presented?
What aspect of the poem is emphasized as integral to its meaning and effect?
What aspect of the poem is emphasized as integral to its meaning and effect?
What element of the poem touched the patriotic feelings in its audience?
What element of the poem touched the patriotic feelings in its audience?
What primary methods were used to analyze the war zone in Balaclava?
What primary methods were used to analyze the war zone in Balaclava?
What significant finding surprised the researchers regarding the Battle of Balaclava?
What significant finding surprised the researchers regarding the Battle of Balaclava?
How many Turkish soldiers are reported to have died during the battle?
How many Turkish soldiers are reported to have died during the battle?
What misconception did British historians hold regarding the casualties at the Battle of Balaclava?
What misconception did British historians hold regarding the casualties at the Battle of Balaclava?
What was Tennyson's intent behind writing 'The Charge of the Light Brigade'?
What was Tennyson's intent behind writing 'The Charge of the Light Brigade'?
What ideological stance did Tennyson embrace in his writing?
What ideological stance did Tennyson embrace in his writing?
What does Bardakçı suggest about the historical information Tennyson based his poem on?
What does Bardakçı suggest about the historical information Tennyson based his poem on?
Which event does Tennyson's 'The Charge of the Light Brigade' relate to?
Which event does Tennyson's 'The Charge of the Light Brigade' relate to?
What was Tennyson's stance toward soldiers in his poetry?
What was Tennyson's stance toward soldiers in his poetry?
What physical condition prevented Tennyson from serving in the military?
What physical condition prevented Tennyson from serving in the military?
What did Tennyson refer to 'The Charge of the Light Brigade' as?
What did Tennyson refer to 'The Charge of the Light Brigade' as?
How did Tennyson's physical strength contrast with his ability to serve?
How did Tennyson's physical strength contrast with his ability to serve?
What motivated Tennyson to write 'The Charge of the Light Brigade'?
What motivated Tennyson to write 'The Charge of the Light Brigade'?
Which aspect of society did Tennyson feel was in decline?
Which aspect of society did Tennyson feel was in decline?
What social group did Tennyson feel a sense of obligation to support?
What social group did Tennyson feel a sense of obligation to support?
What was the estimated distance of 'half a league' mentioned in the poem?
What was the estimated distance of 'half a league' mentioned in the poem?
Flashcards
Newspaper verse
Newspaper verse
A term used to describe poetry written in response to a recent news event.
Tennyson's yearning for chivalry
Tennyson's yearning for chivalry
Tennyson's desire to embody the ideals of heroism, duty, and courage, particularly evident in his poem 'The Charge of the Light Brigade'.
Expectations of the Poet Laureate
Expectations of the Poet Laureate
The role expected of the Poet Laureate, requiring support for the Anglican Church and middle class during the Victorian era.
Tennyson's idealization of soldiers
Tennyson's idealization of soldiers
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Tennyson's physical limitation
Tennyson's physical limitation
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Half a league onward
Half a league onward
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The valley of Death
The valley of Death
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Charge for the guns!
Charge for the guns!
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Voice and Impact
Voice and Impact
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Rhythm and Patriotism
Rhythm and Patriotism
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Effects of the Poem
Effects of the Poem
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The Power of Emotion
The Power of Emotion
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Critiques of the Poem
Critiques of the Poem
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Appreciation for the Poem
Appreciation for the Poem
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Historical Accuracy
Historical Accuracy
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Battlefield Detectives
Battlefield Detectives
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What is a blunder?
What is a blunder?
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What is a Light Brigade?
What is a Light Brigade?
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What does "The Valley of Death" refer to?
What does "The Valley of Death" refer to?
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What is "The Charge of the Light Brigade" ?
What is "The Charge of the Light Brigade" ?
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How does Tennyson portray the soldiers' obedience?
How does Tennyson portray the soldiers' obedience?
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What does Tennyson admire in the Light Brigade?
What does Tennyson admire in the Light Brigade?
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What is the reaction to "The Charge of the Light Brigade"?
What is the reaction to "The Charge of the Light Brigade"?
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Crimean War
Crimean War
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Battle of Balaclava
Battle of Balaclava
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Light Brigade
Light Brigade
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The Charge of the Light Brigade
The Charge of the Light Brigade
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Impact of the Charge of the Light Brigade on Public Opinion
Impact of the Charge of the Light Brigade on Public Opinion
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Symbolism of Balaclava
Symbolism of Balaclava
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Tennyson's "The Charge of the Light Brigade"
Tennyson's "The Charge of the Light Brigade"
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Public's Expectations of Tennyson
Public's Expectations of Tennyson
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Battlefield Archeology
Battlefield Archeology
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Victorian Literature
Victorian Literature
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Historical Validation
Historical Validation
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Poet Laureate
Poet Laureate
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War Propaganda
War Propaganda
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Cultural Influence
Cultural Influence
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Study Notes
Introduction to Victorian Poetry: Alfred, Lord Tennyson
- Tennyson lived from 1809 to 1892
- His poem "The Charge of the Light Brigade" was written in response to the Crimean War (1853-1855)
- The war involved Britain and allies fighting Russia for control of Sebastopol
The Story Behind the Poem
- The poem details the disastrous charge of the Light Brigade on October 25, 1854, during the Battle of Balaclava.
- The Light Brigade, a cavalry unit, was sent to charge directly into Russian artillery, leading to many casualties (260 British soldiers killed, injured, or captured and 475 horses).
- The charge was a response to a misunderstanding in orders.
- The incident created a wave of public anger and an anti-war sentiment.
- This negative reaction to the war impacted Tennyson's view of the war.
The Charge of the Light Brigade
- This poem was written reflecting the incident within weeks of the event
- It's a short epic poem detailing the charge
- "Half a league, half a league/ Half a league onward..."
- The poem uses powerful imagery and rhythm to create a sense of the battlefield, the heroism of the soldiers and the tragic consequences of the charge.
- It uses religious imagery ("Valley of Death") and addresses the themes of patriotism, heroism, and the cost of war.
Analysis of the Poem
- The poem is about a military blunder and its effect on the soldiers.
- Tennyson’s poem focuses on the soldiers, their courage in obeying orders and their sacrifice even when those orders proved disastrous.
- There is debate amongst some scholars as to the accuracy of the historical account depicted in the poem
- The poem has been used as an example of how poems can have historical implications.
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