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The Call Poem Analysis

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Conversely, Pope adopts a colloquial, sing-song-like tone in an effort to inaccurately characterize war as simple and effortless. Her application of the word “laddie” throughout her poem The Call communicates the informal and conversational presentation of the topic, for the word is often used in everyday, casual settings. Such a careful choice of language demonstrates her subtle downplay of the seriousness of war, for choosing to converse in such an informal manner when discussing a subject of this magnitude highlights her intention to equate war to the everyday connotation of her word choice. In addition, it allows her to appeal to her audience on a personal level. Rather than merely posing questions to her audience every other line, Pope chooses to address them personally with the inclusion of “my laddie”. Perhaps this intimate acknowledgment contributed to her poem’s success in persuading men to enlist. Likewise, the entirety of The Call exhibits her deliberate illustration of war as a sport or game, specifically in lines such as, “Who longs to charge and shoot” and “Who’s keen on getting fit” (Pope 11,13). These understated comparisons accentuate her sing-song-like tone, for they are consistently followed by rhetorical questions that challenge a reader’s loyalty and commitment. This rhythm Pope develops in The Call results in a forced steady read, much like that of nursery rhymes. Although indistinct, the rhythmic similarities between nursery rhymes and The Call

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