Comments on Patriotism alone is not enough

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I love a post that makes me ponder so much. Thank you!

posted by Darson on October 5, 2009 at 6:32 AM | link to this | reply

Re: Re: Re: TAPS

This quote of Francis Bacon is delightful, so very reminiscent of Jonathan Swift's A tale of a Tub, or was it Battle of the Books? The Spider (the Moderns) wrings out from its entrails the cobwebs, their own substance, and think it to be their creation, whereas the Bees (the Ancients) range freely in the gardens and fields gathering honey and wax ... to give us sweetness and light. Aesop then gives his decision in favor of the Ancients. Nice discussion.

posted by anib on October 3, 2009 at 8:03 AM | link to this | reply

Re: Re: TAPS
"The men of experiment are like the ant, they only collect and use; the reasoners resemble spiders, who make cobwebs out of their own substance. But the bee takes the middle course: it gathers its material from the flowers of the garden and field, but transforms and digests it by a power of its own." ~Francis Bacon

posted by TAPS. on October 3, 2009 at 7:32 AM | link to this | reply

Re: Dear elysianfields
My heart tips to yours for your continuous support and enjoying the entries, backed with wonderful comments to boost my spirits. I am not a poet as you are, for which I have great regard, but I write contributing as best as I can about poets and poetry. Thank you so much, ma'am. That I can make you ponder, I do take pride .

posted by anib on October 3, 2009 at 7:20 AM | link to this | reply

Re: TAPS
I have intentionally avoided giving my own opinion, but of the two contemporary poets, Rupert Brooke and Wilfred Owen, the latter was considered the superior. as he wrote from experience, unlike Brooke who did never. My post on Owen's The Stange Meeting, today, will hopefully clarify ...

posted by anib on October 3, 2009 at 7:10 AM | link to this | reply

Re: Nileangel
He did capture the minds of the Englishmen of the times, but in retrospect, plain patriotism of only the sentimenatl kind without depth lacks realism.

posted by anib on October 3, 2009 at 7:05 AM | link to this | reply

Re: perhaps he was aware of the Canadians, Australians, Indians, Africans
That's right Kabu. Elinjo has further elaborated this.

posted by anib on October 3, 2009 at 7:02 AM | link to this | reply

Re: elinjo
Yes, it was mosquito bite, and he never experienced real war first hand, unlike Wilfred Owen.

posted by anib on October 3, 2009 at 7:00 AM | link to this | reply

Re: Re: Kabu perhaps he was aware of the Canadians, Australians,
That was perfectly apropos,elinjo. Thank you for sharing your thoughts.

posted by anib on October 3, 2009 at 6:58 AM | link to this | reply

Re:Ariala ... Interesting entry and opinion!
Actually, if you see the literary critiques, you will find it not opionated. Thanks for stopping by.

posted by anib on October 3, 2009 at 6:57 AM | link to this | reply

Interesting entry and opinion!

posted by Ariala on October 3, 2009 at 6:22 AM | link to this | reply

Re: Kabu perhaps he was aware of the Canadians, Australians,
apropos your comment Kabu, I've just finished reading a novel about Jamaicans who fought in the 2nd world war for a mother country they had never seen. Then when they attempted to settle in Britain they encountered racial discrimination. The book's called 'Small Island' by Andrea Levy.

posted by elinjo on October 2, 2009 at 11:10 AM | link to this | reply

Re:
Until a few minutes ago, I always thought that Brooke died in combat. In fact he died of blood-poisoning as a result of an insect bite. You might like to read his biography which I found on the page containing the poem ' The Soldier' that Abanerjee kindly provided.

posted by elinjo on October 2, 2009 at 11:06 AM | link to this | reply

perhaps he was aware of the Canadians, Australians, Indians, Africans
who were used as fodder for the war machine...who died for the Empire, for the mother country they had never known.

posted by Kabu on October 2, 2009 at 10:45 AM | link to this | reply

Perhaps he was aware of the depth, perhaps he chose to only focus upon what he thought was a more positive light of things. Blessed Be.

posted by Nileangel on October 2, 2009 at 10:36 AM | link to this | reply

From your words in this post, I would guess that you are not English. 
Nor am I.  But if I were, I might not agree with your opinions here.
Patriotism is an important part of a person's life.

posted by TAPS. on October 2, 2009 at 10:01 AM | link to this | reply

Dear Abanerjee:  What a glorious poem ~ I agree with your thoughtful summation and study. I just simply admire patriotism.  I oft times see this honorable wartime death as (a precious) martyrdom or sacrificial --- and I so honor the soldiers for all their sacrifice ~ I cannot praise them enough.  I believe like Brookes that our earth is richer for the dust of their bones ~ even a wind that may whisper their cry(s) .  I am probably considered a sappy patriot ~  I wonder if this poem of Brooke(s) was not completely finished or he felt that his simple verse was simply enough said.  Nonetheless, I did enjoy this essay of yours and thank you for bringing such to the Blog life.  It's so thrilling to find this stimulation.  ~ Elyse from the fields ~  tipping my heart

posted by elysianfields on October 2, 2009 at 9:03 AM | link to this | reply