Extra Materials
Extra project and website-related materials.
Image Gallery
War Song Analysis
|
Old Soldiers Never Die by Gene AutryThe song is pro-war because it is very patriotic and it glorifies the soldiers. I like that the chorus is a quote from General MacArthur, in charge of the military at that time. The song is supporting the policy of the time, because it is very patriotic and states that America's cause is just. It addresses the question of how war affects society because it was the people's entertainment at the time. This music would be what people heard and got their ideas from. I think that the song is very patriotic and might overlook the fact that America is fighting a war halfway across the world for another country.
|
"When They Drop the Atomic Bomb"
|
|
|
Goodbye Maria by Will CarterThe song "Goodbye Maria" takes a neutral approach towards war. It presents war as a quick stint into another country for the spread of liberty. The language that strands out the most for me is when he says “But now Maria, you must be brave and smile we're in another fight so I must leave you for awhile” he tells his love to be strong and to keep appearances up until he returns. This song supports the promotion of the spread of liberty, which can come from war. It shows that not only are the soldiers affected but also the people that are related to the soldiers. I think that the song glazes over the true negativity of war and gives it a positive spin. I do think it accurately prostrates what it must have been like for the family members of the soldiers.
|
Unknown Soldier - Elton BrittThe best way to describe the sentiment of this song is “cynical, and beautifully tragic.” The numerous metaphors used in this song stand it apart from other war songs of this its time; the poetic language is much more beautiful than that which is usually used in war songs. The song’s anti-war message isn’t incredibly obvious, but is definitely apparent. In the song, Britt sings about the sadness of death, and worries that he died in vain, and at the end of the song he sings that he will remain a forgotten, “unknown” soldier “’Till there’s peace in the world again.” If anything, the song is critical of America’s foreign policy to get involved in the Korean War. A cost of war, as described by the narrator of the song, is that as a soldier you will die in vain and eventually be forgotten. I agree with the message of this song, that we need world peace.
|
|
Movie Pilots
Student-created movie trailers for The Bridges at Toko-Ri.
Banner Image: U.S. Troops Emerging from Helicopters. circa 1953. CNN. Web.