Bless God, he Went as Soldiers
The poem explores the theme of mortality and the afterlife, with a focus on the idea that death is a journey, rather than an end. The speaker describes the deceased person's transition to the afterlife as a military campaign, where they are equipped for battle and prepared to face whatever challenges lie ahead. The poem suggests that death is not something to be feared or mourned, but rather seen as a natural part of life. The speaker implies that the deceased person has been given a new identity, one that is suited to their new role in the afterlife. Throughout the poem, Dickinson uses imagery and metaphor to convey the idea that death is a transformation, rather than an end. She describes the deceased person's soul as being "equipped for battle" and "prepared to face whatever challenges lie ahead", suggesting that they are ready to take on their new role in the afterlife. The poem also touches on the theme of faith, with the speaker expressing a sense of trust and confidence in the idea that the deceased person will be received into heaven. The use of military imagery suggests a sense of discipline and order, implying that the afterlife is a place where souls are organized and structured. Overall, the poem presents a vision of death as a journey, rather than an end, and suggests that it is a natural part of life.
By Emily Dickinson · First published 1859 · Genre: Poetry, War, Religious · 72 words
First lines
Bless God, he went as soldiers, His musket on his breast; Grant, God, he charge the bravest Of all the martial blest.
Please God, might I behold him In epauletted white, I should not fear the foe then, I should not fear the fight.
What this Textopian page supports
Bless God, he Went as Soldiers is listed on Textopian as a poem by Emily Dickinson, dated 1859 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Poem
- Author: Emily Dickinson
- Date: 1859 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Poetry, War, Religious, Historical, Lyric
- Length: 72 words
- Structure: 1 section, 2 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)
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Similar titles
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- The Two Angels by John Greenleaf Whittier
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Genres
- Poetry — The work is structured in verse form with a rhythmic and metrical pattern typical of poetry.
- War — The themes and imagery revolve around soldiers, battle, and martial valor.
- Religious — The text includes appeals to God and references to divine intervention.
- Historical — The context and subject matter suggest a historical setting related to military events.
Tags
Poetry · American Literature · 19th Century · Mortality · War · Soldiers · Faith · Spirituality · Existentialism · Philosophy · Death · Loss