A Bivouac by Hilaire Belloc (1906)
The story revolves around a group of soldiers who are forced to spend the night outdoors due to a lack of accommodations. They set up camp and try to make themselves comfortable, but their efforts are hindered by the harsh weather conditions and their own personal struggles. As the night wears on, tensions rise among the men as they struggle with hunger, cold, and fatigue. The narrator reflects on the human condition and the ways in which people respond to adversity. The story is a commentary on the effects of war on soldiers and the psychological toll it takes on them. It highlights the importance of camaraderie and the need for human connection in times of hardship. Throughout the narrative, the author explores themes of survival, resilience, and the human spirit's capacity to persevere in the face of adversity.
By Hilaire Belloc · First published 1906 · Genre: Poetry, War Literature, Religious Literature · 149 words
First lines
I. You came without a human sound, / You came and brought my soul to me; / I only woke, and all around / They slumbered on the firelit ground, / Beside the guns in Burgundy.
II. I felt the gesture of your hands, / You signed my forehead with the Cross; / The gesture of your holy hands / Was bounteous -- like the misty lands / Along the Hills in Calvados.
III. But when I slept I saw your eyes, / Hungry as death, and very far.
I saw demand in your dim eyes / Mysterious as the moons that rise / At midnight, in the Pines of Var.
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Genres
- Poetry — The work is structured in verses and stanzas, employing rhyme and meter typical of poetry.
- War Literature — References to 'guns in Burgundy' and the bivouac setting suggest themes related to war.
- Religious Literature — The mention of 'signed my forehead with the Cross' indicates religious themes.
- Symbolism — The use of symbolic imagery such as 'moons that rise' and 'Pines of Var' suggests a symbolic interpretation.
Tags
Poetry · Satire · Social Commentary · Literary Fiction · Humor · Irony · Critique of Society · Class Satire · English Literature · 19th Century Literature · Victorian Era · British Culture
What this Textopian page supports
A Bivouac is listed on Textopian as a poem by Hilaire Belloc, dated 1906 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Poem
- Author: Hilaire Belloc
- Date: 1906 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Poetry, War Literature, Religious Literature, Symbolism, Romanticism
- Length: 149 words
- Structure: 1 section, 4 paragraphs
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- Work identity for A Bivouac by Hilaire Belloc
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