Laurence Binyon was too old to join the war in 1915 but volunteered in a British Hospital for French soldiers. Despite never actually fighting he uses 'For The Fallen' to show his pride for England.
Stanza One:
I think stanza one is trying to show how soldiers form a unity like a family so when someone dies, the feeling of sorrow is a community reaction. Binyon uses the word 'proud' which shows he has pride for the young men going off to fight whilst it may also represent to pride people at home have for their soldiers. The young men are now seen as heroes at home so are proud to welcome them home. Binyon describes England as 'her', this personification shows how England is damaged just like a mother is hurt when she loses her son to war.
Stanza Two:
"And a glory that shines upon our tears" - shows that despite the sorrow they are proud of their men for going to fight. "There is music in the midst of desolation" - music is usually used to follow something happy, yet death is not a happy occasion. The music used in a funeral is used to signify how we will be forever devastated by loss, but music is used to find a comfort between the sorrow.
Stanza Three:
"They went with songs to the battle, they were young," - shows how they sung war songs to keep up morale even when times got tough. These soldiers were young, unexperienced men who gave death no thought when they joined up. They were willing to fight for there country because they were brave and courageous despite their young age.
Stanza Four:
Most famous stanza in the poem because it is now used on Remembrance Day.
"They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old:
Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.
At the going down of the sun and in the morning
We will remember them."
Shows they will be forever young in our hearts and minds. They won't be damaged by age and they will be eternally young in our memories.
Stanza Five:
"They mingle not with their laughing comrades" - they can no longer laugh or experience life because there youth has been taken." They sleep beyond England's foam" - the use of the word sleep takes the harsh nature of death away from their loss. It suggests they can return and be awaken yet they cannot.
Stanza Six:
"But where our desires are and our hopes profound" - We can still achieve our desires because we are still here yet their whole generation have been killed meaning they can not achieve what they have always wanted. It may also be interpreted as us having a desire to have them alive with us. "As the stars are known to the Night;" - we remember them when we look up at the stars yet their night is forever unlike ours.
Stanza Seven:
"As the stars that shall be bright when we are dust," - we all return to dust but life continues. "Moving in marches upon the heavenly plain," - in heaven they are at peace
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