ANNOTATION FOR
FLAG
BY JOHN AGARD
The location of the flag is not determined, meaning it (the message and the
power) can be applied worldwide. A flag may inspire men to fight despite their
natural fear.
All of the rhetorical questions contain verbs to describe the flag, except the last
stanza, where the subject shifts. The verbs used are simple movements that
develop throughout the poem. The rhetorical questions are used, not only for
the art of persuasion, but to symbolise internal conflict and seek clarity. Every
verse has a question and a fairly contradictory response.
Line 3, ‘brings a nation to its knees’ is an example of personification.
The repetition of the phrase ‘it’s just a piece of cloth’ in both Lines 2 and 5,
suggest that it is maybe more than just a piece of cloth, responding to the
interest in the flag. However, the use of ‘just’ to modify its importance, belittles
and diminishes the flag.
The first and last line of the first three stanzas rhyme, but this pattern does not
continue throughout.
The noun ‘guts’ in Line 6 causes the poem to be provocative to our emotions, as
there is a strong link between our body and apprehension.
The choice of vocabulary has strong connotations to war, including the political
noun ‘nation’ and the violent verb ‘bleed’.
The questioning by the last stanza adopts admiration, showing how quickly a
flag can affect someone’s conscience.
In Line 14, the repeat of the word ‘flag’ links the poem back to the title by
revealing the object.
Line 15 uses the imperative ‘blind’ to challenge the reader. It makes oblivion
appear a simple process. The word ‘blind’ carefully selected to indicate an
ignorance of morality, and that morality should be replaced with patriotism.
FLAG
BY JOHN AGARD
The location of the flag is not determined, meaning it (the message and the
power) can be applied worldwide. A flag may inspire men to fight despite their
natural fear.
All of the rhetorical questions contain verbs to describe the flag, except the last
stanza, where the subject shifts. The verbs used are simple movements that
develop throughout the poem. The rhetorical questions are used, not only for
the art of persuasion, but to symbolise internal conflict and seek clarity. Every
verse has a question and a fairly contradictory response.
Line 3, ‘brings a nation to its knees’ is an example of personification.
The repetition of the phrase ‘it’s just a piece of cloth’ in both Lines 2 and 5,
suggest that it is maybe more than just a piece of cloth, responding to the
interest in the flag. However, the use of ‘just’ to modify its importance, belittles
and diminishes the flag.
The first and last line of the first three stanzas rhyme, but this pattern does not
continue throughout.
The noun ‘guts’ in Line 6 causes the poem to be provocative to our emotions, as
there is a strong link between our body and apprehension.
The choice of vocabulary has strong connotations to war, including the political
noun ‘nation’ and the violent verb ‘bleed’.
The questioning by the last stanza adopts admiration, showing how quickly a
flag can affect someone’s conscience.
In Line 14, the repeat of the word ‘flag’ links the poem back to the title by
revealing the object.
Line 15 uses the imperative ‘blind’ to challenge the reader. It makes oblivion
appear a simple process. The word ‘blind’ carefully selected to indicate an
ignorance of morality, and that morality should be replaced with patriotism.
