Title: "The Farmer Remembers Somme"
- The title immediately establishes the setting and the protagonist, linking them to the infamous Battle of the Somme, one of the deadliest conflicts of World War I.
Stanza 1:
- The farmer is introduced, plowing the calm peacefulness of his field.
- The imagery suggests a sense of tranquility, contrasting sharply with the chaos of war.
- The "gaping wound" created by the plow alludes to the scars left by the war, both physically and emotionally.
Stanza 2:
- The farmer's mind is transported back to the "feverish land of France" during the Battle of the Somme.
- The use of "feverish" emphasizes the intensity and madness of the battlefield.
- "Blood-imbued" describes the soil saturated with the blood of soldiers, evoking a powerful sense of loss and sacrifice.
Stanza 3:
- The farmer vividly recalls the chaos, noise, and terror of the battlefield: "pounding hoofs," "shrieking shells," and "trampled screams."
- The sensory details create an overwhelming impression of the brutal and unrelenting nature of war.
Stanza 4:
- The farmer confronts the stark reality of death: "he saw men mangled, maddened, gassed, / Splintered, and strewn, and burnt."
- The accumulation of gruesome adjectives portrays the war's devastating impact on human life.
Stanza 5:
- The farmer describes how the war's horrors still haunt him, causing nightmares and a sense of restlessness: "dreams break his heart, / And always on the 'going-out' tide / That restless doubt returns again."
- The image of the "going-out" tide suggests a continual feeling of loss and a longing for a return to peace.
Stanza 6:
- The farmer finds temporary relief in the peaceful rhythm of rural life: "Then dawns a calmer day with whitewashed peace, / And golden corn beneath a kindlier sun."
- This stanza offers a glimmer of hope and the possibility of healing and renewal.
Analysis:
"The Farmer Remembers Somme" is a powerful depiction of the horrors of World War I and its lasting impact on the lives of those who fought in it. Through the farmer's haunting memories and vivid imagery, the poem evokes a profound sense of loss, suffering, and the struggle to regain peace in the aftermath of war. The poem's themes include the futility of war, the psychological scars it leaves on soldiers, and the search for solace in the tranquility of nature. Sassoon's skillful use of language and evocative imagery creates a deeply moving and memorable poem that serves as a testament to the devastating human cost of war.