Another visual map reference to the Flanders region:

https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.ww1battlefields.co.uk%2Fflanders%2F&psig=AOvVaw2PUSo8XbPLSbSU27PQ9AEx&ust=1734748008601000&source=images&cd=vfe&opi=89978449&ved=0CBQQjRxqFwoTCKjE9YqmtYoDFQAAAAAdAAAAABAE

• It should be noted that the region of Flanders at the time of World War I, was also called Ypres, which people referred to it as. *

A visual reference to Flanders Fields:

https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.alamy.com%2Fenglish-map-of-flanders-by-frederik-de-wit-pars-flandriae-orientalis-franconatum-insulam-cadsant-civitatesq-16xx-frederik-de-wit-16301706-alternative-names-frederic-frederik-frederico-fredericus-de-witt-de-widt-description-dutch-cartographer-and-printmaker-date-of-birthdeath-162930-1706-location-of-birthdeath-gouda-amsterdam-work-location-amsterdam-authority-control-q1402952-viaf52982523-isni0000-0001-1875-3332-ulan500044399-lccnn80036663-gnd143905406-worldcat-851-map-of-flanders-by-frederik-de-wit-image185845583.html&psig=AOvVaw3GNvBuQKOphugRAVM8mjal&ust=1734747805256000&source=images&cd=vfe&opi=89978449&ved=0CBQQjRxqFwoTCICnsa2ltYoDFQAAAAAdAAAAABAE.

Maybe meaning that, "we", referring to the fallen soldiers, are saying or attempting to get across to their "predecessors" or tose soldiers who are still alive and fighting on the battfield, that they "shall not sleep" until the soldiers get done what they need to get done.

Implying here, from the sensory perspective of the larks which are flying above the gunshots being shot across the battlefield in the sky.

Addressing the next group of solider that are fighting the enemy

John McCrae was a Canadian solider and physician who tended to the injured in the Second Battle of Ypres in April 1915. He wrote this poem shortly after the conclusion of the battle. He ultimately wrote this poem to pay tribute to a friend who died in the war.

https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poets/john-mccrae

The poem was written/takes place after a battle on Flanders Fields. John McCrae, the author, also fought in the battle.

The overall tone of this poem is almost nostalgic, however, the way the poem picks up in the middle, almost as if going down a hill at a faster pace, the tone shifts to be one of reflection and casts a heroic shadow on the fallen soldiers. Almost as if McCrae intentionally styled the poem in this manner to create more of a tribute to these soldiers that lost their lives in World War I.

The torch not only symbolizes the passing of responsibility to the next group of soldiers, but also a symbol of life and death. Fire is typically a symbol of life, so those who passed in the battle no longer has the light, but their death can give motivation and, therefore, life to the next.

"..failing hands…" might refer to those of the solders who were struck and can no longer fight… "To you… we throw the torch…"

Perhaps with the hope of the falling soldeirs that their comrades will accept the "torch" from them to keep fighting for them and to accomplish what they can't help them to do anymore.

Interesting to make the word "dead" a proper noun. I wonder if McCrae capitalized the D to give tribute to those who fell during the war and is lost towards history.

The entirety of this stanza is written from the first person perspective, most likely intended to be told from the fallen soldiers' point of view.

this suggests the fleeting window of life, and provides an indirect comparison to the poppies, as the soldiers are speaking of themselves as the poppies that grow in the field "currently" or had started growing after their deaths. "We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow, loved and were loved…" are all things that the poppies do as they continue to flourish in Flanders fields. "We are the Dead… We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow, loved and were loved, and now we lie in Flanders fields" (McCrae).

"Scarce", here, refers to McCrae's reference to Larks singing in the line above, pointing to the idea that the sound of the Larks singing in the skies is muted or drowned out by the sound of gunshots involved in the battle happening below on the ground.

"The lark is prominently associated with the break of day and the start of the spring season. Larks are known for their beautiful contributions to the “dawn chorus” and as such represent hope, light, and joy" (World Birds, Joy of Nature).

This might suggest that the Lark could have posed as a potential symbol of hope and light in this dark time. According to the source, if Larks represent daybreak or are associated with the season of Spring, it is possible to infer that they could represent what people often associate with daybreak or the season of Spring. Fresh starts, new days, new beginnings, new life, etc. Maybe pointing to the fact that the poem symbolizes the idea and conveys the meaning that there will be a new day or a new time. The world will move on from this.

https://worldbirds.com/lark-symbolism/.

"The larks, still bravely singing, fly"; this line hones even more symbolism, as the larks mentioned, are birds who are flying across the skies, even amidst war and battle.

The fact that these birds are flying in such devastation, proves their bravery, (according to the poem). Thus, the larks' ability to fly through everything that has and is happening could represent the strength, bravery, and resilience of the people of Belgium, and in all countries, the soldiers on all sides, and their family members to persevere through the rest of the war, despite all that has happened.

The poem is clearly set after the battle since the crosses are planted into the ground for remembrance of the soldiers who died in the battle

"Between the crosses row on row"; more symbolism and an apparent theme, connected to the poppies in the previous line; the poppies grew in the place of where fallen soldiers had deceased and were buried. Their growth symbolizing potential hope and renewal in an otherwise sorrowful period of turmoil.

"The red poppy is a symbol of both Remembrance and hope for a peaceful future. Poppies are worn as a show of support for the Armed Forces community. The poppy is a well-known and well-established symbol, one that carries a wealth of history and meaning with it" (Royal British Legion).

It is also clear that there is abundant symbolism present as stating that "In Flanders Fields, the poppies blow", especially in a poem revolving around a major war like World War I, perhaps representing hope for what is to come and remembrance of the soldiers who had passed on before them.

https://www.britishlegion.org.uk/get-involved/remembrance/about-remembrance/the-poppy.

"Flanders" is a part of Northern Belgium; many other happenings including fierce battles and relentless fighting, occurred there during World War I.

https://www.visitflanders.com/en/discover-flanders/arts-and-heritage/flanders-fields/flanders-fields-history.

"..failing hands..." might refer to those of the solders who were struck and can no longer fight... "To you... we throw the torch..." - Perhaps with the hope of the falling soldeirs that their comrades will accept the "torch" from them to keep fighting for them and to accomplish what they can't help them to do anymore.

• The overall tone of this poem is almost nostalgic, however, the way the poem picks up in the middle, almost as if going down a hill at a faster pace, the tone shifts to be one of reflection and casts a heroic shadow on the fallen soldiers.
• Almost as if McCrae intentionally styled the poem in this manner to create more of a tribute to these soldiers that lost their lives in World War I.

The entirety of this stanza is written from the first person perspective, most likely intended to be told from the fallen soldiers' point of view. - this suggests the fleeting window of life, and provides an indirect comparison to the poppies, as the soldiers are speaking of themselves as the poppies that grow in the field "currently" or had started growing after their deaths.

"We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow, loved and were loved..." are all things that the poppies do as they continue to flourish in Flanders fields. "We are the Dead... We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow, loved and were loved, and now we lie in Flanders fields" (McCrae).

"Scarce", here, refers to McCrae's reference to Larks singing in the line above, pointing to the idea that the sound of the Larks singing in the skies is muted or drowned out by the sound of gunshots involved in the battle happening below on the ground.

"The lark is prominently associated with the break of day and the start of the spring season. Larks are known for their beautiful contributions to the “dawn chorus” and as such represent hope, light, and joy" (World Birds, Joy of Nature).

This might suggest that the Lark could have posed as a potential symbol of hope and light in this dark time. According to the source, if Larks represent daybreak or are associated with the season of Spring, it is possible to infer that they could represent what people often associate with daybreak or the season of Spring. Fresh starts, new days, new beginnings, new life, etc. Maybe pointing to the fact that the poem symbolizes the idea and conveys the meaning that there will be a new day or a new time. The world will move on from this.

https://worldbirds.com/lark-symbolism/.

"The larks, still bravely singing, fly"; this line hones even more symbolism, as the larks mentioned, are birds who are flying across the skies, even amidst war and battle.

The fact that these birds are flying in such devastation, proves their bravery, (according to the poem). Thus, the larks' ability to fly through everything that has and is happening could represent the strength, bravery, and resilience of the people of Belgium, and in all countries, the soldiers on all sides, and their family members to persevere through the rest of the war, despite all that has happened.

"Between the crosses row on row"; more symbolism and an apparent theme, connected to the poppies in the previous line; the poppies grew in the place of where fallen soldiers had deceased and were buried. Their growth symbolizing potential hope and renewal in an otherwise sorrowful period of turmoil.

"The red poppy is a symbol of both Remembrance and hope for a peaceful future. Poppies are worn as a show of support for the Armed Forces community. The poppy is a well-known and well-established symbol, one that carries a wealth of history and meaning with it" (Royal British Legion).

It is also clear that there is abundant symbolism present as stating that "In Flanders Fields, the poppies blow", especially in a poem revolving around a major war like World War I, perhaps representing hope for what is to come and remembrance of the soldiers who had passed on before them.

https://www.britishlegion.org.uk/get-involved/remembrance/about-remembrance/the-poppy.

"Flanders" is a part of Northern Belgium; many other happenings including fierce battles and relentless fighting, occurred there during World War I.

https://www.visitflanders.com/en/discover-flanders/arts-and-heritage/flanders-fields/flanders-fields-history.

Just a historical note regarding telephones in this era (1975).

"The Dutch phone made its way into modern society in 1975. This looked like the modern telephone we used before mobile phones flooded the markets".

https://www.vedantu.com/blog/evolution-of-telephones.

Both postmen and doctors hold positions that do a tremendous amount of communicating to people (as in going from house to house). They spread this communication to others, both kinds of which keep people going, and gives them something to hold onto (whether its words from a loved one, or words of assurance or a prognosis). Regardless, death will happen through all of this.

Even the day-to-day cycle of life has to continue which is a profound statement containing a lot of truth. And yet, amongst all of this hustle and bustle that will occur, death is still someone who will be met further down the road.

Simile- "The sky is white as clay"- Not at all typical of what you would expect for a morning sunrise or when you are greeted by daybreak.

just another reminder that death is forever near and always around the corner.

Similar to above, how the world is gearing up for the day, referring to those who go from home to office then home again. This cycle we live in is not forever either, it will end too eventually.

This line being an example of personification, is especially unique as it signals a slew of lines that all point to the idea of the world gearing up to start its day, just the functioning of day-to-day life that will eventually all cease when each thing meets its time.

Light and Dark? Life and Death? No matter what the speaker means by sides, it is clear that one isn't staying around for much longer. Let's say it is life and death. Given the consistency of this poem, I would bet life would most likely not be the one that gets to stick around.

The speaker's reluctance to be accepting of that fate.

Death continues to stick around and is not going anywhere, a fact of life the speaker has been aware of since the start of the poem...

The wardrobe (maybe in the speaker's room) reminds him that even if the darkness starts to fade, the concept of death is till lingering. (just like his wardrobe standing in plain sight, never moving)

From the speaker's perspective, night is becoming day, and all of the darkness is slowly drowned out by the gradual brightening of light (maybe coming in from a window).

Probably starts to shift the speaker's mindset.

"withstood"- Tolerated or "accepted". Being understanding that it will happen.

Again, we can complain and whine at the fact that we are going to die our whole lives or we can choose to embrace the idea and accept it. Regardless of which approach might be more fulfilling, death treats everyone the same (in terms of it being a guarantee).

The same idea: death will happen anyways, just because you might try to put on a brave face for its arrival, will not guarantee you any more favors than the next person also being greeted by death.

Don't taunt with the idea of death or wave it around like it is some sort of bad or consequential thing. Simply, it is a fact of life and not something to be scared by or to scare with.

Is it really worth it to attempt to be brave about death? To try and be nonchalant about its happenings or to pretend it is not a matter of significance? My interpretation: Since it is something that has to occur, maybe there is no point at all to even trying to be brave, we could try just accepting what it is at face value.

Possibly referring to the speakers' time in solace with himself. He is alone with his thoughts and does not have alcohol or other people to capture his attention and divert him from his thought spiral.

an extension of "furnace-fear": like fire in a furnace; the knowledge that death will happen to you (and everyone) is not something easy to accept, so this line refers to the speaker's emotions "raging" like flames in terms of a furnace.

This line highlight's the poem's theme of death as something that is inevitable. No matter what happens, all people will receive death in some way or another. People can dread all sorts of things or be anxious about their arrival, and it could be for nothing in a variety of instances. Yet, here, it undoubtedly is guaranteed to occur.

Referring to death here. The speaker thinks of death as a "small unfocused blur, a standing chill". From there the speaker says "that slows each impulse down to indecision" meaning answers to his thoughts are not coming as quickly to him anymore. He is becoming indecisive and no longer is choosing to act on his thoughts as death is slowing them down.

"furnace-fear"- relating to a furnace, meaning hot, raging, and intense. It also here, points to the speaker's realization of death's inevitability.

Liz's Part

Ben's Part

Colin's Part

relating to no consequences since this line implies the two have already had relations.

Representative of how men view women, an elaborate book cover, and a thing of beauty, able to be appreciated by men not of religious status.

Theme: White; symbolic in terms of purity; represented throughout the poem in different ways, such as in this stanza, representing virginity and innocence.

The speaker is curious why the woman must cover up if he must. He became vulnerable, so she should also.

metaphor

imputed, v. - attributed https://www.oed.com/search/dictionary/?scope=Entries&q=imputed+.

The love felt between the speaker and his love is so strong, he is comparing it to something as "elevated" as canonization.