Poem Analysis - Bless God He Went As Soldiers

A Prayer for Valor and Divine Protection

Emily Dickinson's "Bless God, He Went As Soldiers" is a short but powerful prayer reflecting a complex blend of religious devotion and martial fervor. The poem, tinged with a hopeful yet anxious tone, expresses a desire for divine blessing and protection for a loved one entering battle. The mood remains consistently reverent, using language associated with both religion and warfare to create a unique atmosphere. The poem's speaker seeks reassurance in faith, hoping for the safe return and even heroic glorification of the soldier.

Faith and Fear on the Battlefield

The poem's central theme revolves around the intersection of faith and fear in the face of war. The speaker's repeated invocation of "God" underscores a reliance on divine power for both blessing ("Bless God, he went as soldiers") and granting ("Grant God, he charge the bravest"). This demonstrates an attempt to reconcile the violence of war with a belief in a benevolent God. However, the underlying anxiety is evident in the plea, "Please God, might I behold him," suggesting a fear of loss and a desperate need for reassurance. The desire to see the soldier "in epauletted white" reveals a yearning not just for his survival, but for his triumph and glorification, further masking the underlying fear.

The Image of the Ideal Soldier

The poem's imagery is both striking and carefully chosen. The "musket on his breast" evokes a sense of immediate danger and the soldier's vulnerability. More significantly, the image of the soldier "in epauletted white" is powerful. White is traditionally associated with purity and innocence, but in this context, combined with "epaulettes" (ornamental shoulder pieces signifying military rank), it suggests a vision of the soldier as a divinely sanctioned and glorified hero. It's an almost angelic vision of a combatant, implying the speaker's ideal – perhaps a naive one – of what a soldier should be and what he represents in this struggle. One might question, is the speaker seeking divine protection, or justifying the war by associating it with divine will?

Martial and Spiritual Invocation

The poem employs martial and spiritual language to enhance its themes. Phrases like "he went as soldiers," "charge the bravest," and "martial blest" directly evoke the battlefield and the act of war. However, these are interwoven with religious invocations, such as "Bless God" and "Grant God," which elevate the conflict to a spiritual plane. The combination suggests a belief that the soldier's actions are not merely military, but also divinely ordained. This intertwining of the martial and spiritual reflects a worldview where religious faith provides justification and solace in the face of violence.

A Hopeful Plea in a Time of Uncertainty

In conclusion, "Bless God, He Went As Soldiers" is a poignant expression of faith, fear, and hope centered around a soldier's departure for war. Dickinson's poem uses vivid imagery and a blend of martial and religious language to convey the speaker's desire for divine protection and the glorification of their loved one. While rooted in a specific context of conflict, the poem ultimately speaks to the universal human experience of seeking comfort and reassurance in faith during times of uncertainty and fear for loved ones' safety.