Rendezvous - Alan Seeger

Form:

Regular iambic rhythm which alters slightly into iambic pentameter in the middle of the second stanza. It abruptly halts the sweet tone of love and seems to be a representation of the way in which death halts everything.

Language:

Repetition – “I have a rendezvous with death” makes it seem imperative and unavoidable. Referencing to the imminent and inevitable nature of death

Personification – “he shall take my hand” by personifying death, the poet almost euphemises his fate. He almost speaks of death as a Godly figure which is guiding him. The idea of taking his hand is gentle and comforting and almost causes him to regress. It makes the poet seem vulnerable and child-like and the common theme of the innocence of those who fought and died it apparentStructure:

Lack of caesura – depicts that he is continuously moving towards his fate and will not stop until his is dead. Determination. It is almost as though this is his calling

Tone:

Glory in death.

Determination.

Reader response:

A 1914 reader would not find this poem particularly shocking but to someone who has not experienced the propaganda, the poet’s determination to die is highly shocking

Links :

Into Battle