Compare the way in which the poems 'the charge of the light brigade' and 'what were they like?' present the emotions caused by conflict.

Answer 1

"What They Were Like" reflects negative emotions of remorse, loss, and frustration with war. It asks many rhetorical questions, such as "Had they an epic poem?" (possibly a reference to The Iliad) and "Did they hold ceremonies of reverence?" Obviously, the people of Vietnam did not. Their experience of war was not glorified with ceremonies or epic tales like that of The Iliad. Instead, "All the bones were charred, it is NOT remembered". This is a powerful line that tries to show the reader how war leaves behind agony, not glory

"Charge of the Light Brigade" is much different. It tells a heroic tale of British soldiers fighting in the Crimean War. It evokes positive emotions of horo, glory, and bravery. In the final stanza, it asks a rhetorical question too, "How can their glory fade?" Lord Alfred Tennyson means the glory of the British soldiers. The poem then tells us to "Honour the charge they made, honour the six hundred". We are commanded to remember the deaths of these soldiers.

Denise Levertov tells us that the Vietnam war was a tragedy, and the deaths of the Vietnam war won't be remembered. Lord Alfred Tennyson tells us that the British soldiers of the Crimean War were heroes and their glorious deaths must be remembered.