DRUMMER HODGE-Thomas Hardy,Poetry Anthology

Context

Originally titled ‘The Dead Drummer’

Published in 1899 during the Second Boer War in South Africa

Conflict of the Boers and British Empire

Hardy was inspired to write the poem after hearing about a local boy who died during the war

Hardy highly criticised Victorian society, especially the declining status of rural people in Britain such as those from his Native South-West England

Drummer boys were as young as 13-14. Served in armed forces, playing in military bands.They also used their drums to communicate on the Battlefield.

A “Hodge” was a generic term for someone from the countryside

Form

Elegy for an unknown soldier,traditional form for mourning

Regular ABABAB rhyme scheme

regular rhythm replicates a drum beat in a military march

Regular form gives it a sense of finality

Structure

3 regular stanzas cover past present and future. Hodge’s burial in the present-death, second stanza shifts to past and emphasises his youth and inexperience-reflection.The final stanza looks into eternity, contrasting Hodge’s brief life.

enjambment-slow pace and reflective tone

controlled rhythm-drum beat

Naivety

Hodge didn’t understand the South African landscape despite being sent there. His youth is emphasised reinforcing the pomes tragedy and the idea of wasted life

Remembrance

While soldiers are usually idealised as heroes in literature, this poem presents an alternative way of remembering those who die in war. Though Hodge’s burial is unceremonial, Hardy uses the poem to give recognition to someone who in reality was just a minor part of a larger war

''They throw in Drummer Hodge, to rest / uncoffined-just as found:

The writer highlights the indignity of his death, creating a detached, disturbing image.”throw” is a harsh verb that makes Hodge seem more like an object than a human being.Soldiers bury him quickly and carelessly.Emphasising the indifference towards exposure to death during war and the dehumanising effect of war. In war literature drummers are usually presented as naive boys looking for adventure, some writers used them as examples of heroic patriotism.”Hodge’ was a generic term for countryside boys, creating a sense of anonymity, reinforcing the lack of respect as he isn’t given a proper identity.”rest” is a verb contrasting with the violence and chaos of war, he is put to death and burial.”Uncoffined” shows that he is unprotected, and denied a proper funeral and dignity and the uncaring treatment he is recieved. “Just as found” suggests his body is buried without preparation, reinforcing the lack of respect.The caesura created by the dash makes the line feel abrupt and emotionally cold

“Young Hodge the drummer never knew-/ Fresh from his Wessex home-”

First words in these lines highlight Hodge’s youth, emphasising his vulnerability, tragedy and the life he has lost.”the drummer identifies him by his millitary role, rather than a personal name, suggesting hie is one of many ordinary soldiers. “never knew’ creates dramatic irony- Hodge did not know the land where he would die, alliteration contributes to a sense of finality to this. “Fresh from his Wessex home” contrasts his familiar english home with the strange South African battlefield. Along with “Young”, “Fresh” highlights his youth and the tragedy of his death, it also describes how he is not connected with the land yet and newly dead.“Wessex” is associated with Hardy’s own rural region, making Hodge seem connected to ordinary English life.

“And strange-eyed constellations reign/ His stars eternally”

• strange-eyed” personifies the stars and makes them seem unfamiliar and watchful, the sibilance in the last three lines is soothing- returns to the idea of Hodge being at “rest” from the first stanza

• The adjective “strange” highlights Hodge’s distance from England.

• “constellation reign” the personification suggests that nature has power and authority over Hodge’s final resting place. This creates an unnerving image as stars overwatch Hodge.

• “eternally.” implies that, although people may forget him, he will remain permanently part of the landscape. The end stopped line creates a sense of finality and permanence,Hodge will be a part of the foreign landscape forever, destined to rot as years pass by and stars remain above him.

• “his stars” gives Hodge a sense of ownership and belonging. The foreign sky becomes connected to him.Stars can represent fate- Hodge’s fate is to lie forever beneath the constellations as they “reign” over him

• repeated motif of stars and constellations evoke a sense of fate, nature is eternal. He’s part of something beyond his control his fate is inevitable.Contrasts the temporary nature of life to natural world permanence