An in-depth line-by-line (and further!!) analysis of 'Will it be so again?' by Cecil Day-Lewis. These notes helped me get 96% for English in my matric finals and I have no doubt that they'll help you too.
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Cecil Day-Lewis: (1904-1972) Published drg WW2. Lived through two wars+Great Depression
Disenchated with politicans and capitalism- bcm communism but then lost faith bcs of Stalin
1.Will it be so again Repetition of title, presented as statement.
Absence of punctuation makes tone- ambiguous=
nostalgic/wishful rather than questioning
2.that the brave, the gifted are lost from view, Brave: courageous- willing to risk lives
Indication describgsoldiers- people habitually portrayed as brave
Gifted: talented/competent
euphemism for death- confirm discussing war
[dying on battle field:sacrifice]allusion to soldiers who fought war
3.and empty, scheming men Other fear:Empty: suggests people lack value+sincerity
Scheming: devious+underhand
[insincere+making dishonest deals]
Appear to be describing politicians- antithesis of soldiers
4.are left in peace their lunatic age to renew? Lunatic: evocatively expresses speaker's attitude towards both
war+politicians [mentally unwell]
->Also suggests deaths of soldiers- leaves lunatics in peace to
oppress, manipulate+exploit society
Jarring phrase left in peace: stark+galling contract -emphasises
speakers disgust[p not harassed/locked up]
Bleak+cruel irony: soldiers death creates peace that can be
abused+exploited by politicians to oppress those left
alive+ultimately cause another war [renew- continue unjust expl.
5.Will it be so again? Refrain forms powerful conclusion: reiterates+emphasises
principle concern of poem+ asks reader question directly, making
them consider it more personally
->Speaker questions whether sld be allowed happen again
Tone :angry, bitter, disillusioned[repitition- immediacy]
7.that the best are chosen to fall and sleep Speaker expands on what allows tragic cycle to repeat itself.
-too slow to stop the usurpers after the best have falen
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