Name_____________________________________Pd___Date___________________
“The Charge of the Light Brigade”
Alfred, Lord Tennyson
Answer the following questions in complete sentences. Make sure you are using R.A.R.E. format at least
on the questions that indicate so.
1. Do you think this poem glorifies war? Does it criticize it? How can you tell? (R.A.R.E)
2. Do you believe that war is sometimes necessary? Do you think your feelings about that issue
change the way you read this poem?
3. Do you think someone could write a poem like this today? How do we celebrate the courage of
soldiers in the modern world?
4. Do events like this one from the Crimean War seem really far away to you? Did this poem make
them feel more alive?
5. Is it “noble” to follow orders without asking questions? Did the poem make you see the issue
differently?
6. What is the mood of the poem? What words does the author use to make you feel this way?
(R.A.R.E.)
Imagine you are one of the surviving soldiers of the British Light Brigade following the battle. Write a
letter to your mother describing what you experienced today. What did you expect to encounter? What
did you find instead? What did you see? Hear? Smell? Taste? Feel? Describe the battle in detail, your
emotions during the battle, and your feelings about being a survivor. Think carefully about the mood you
want your letter to have and choose words to help create this mood. You may write your letter below or
use a separate piece of notebook paper.