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About this quote

What does it mean?
A military unit rides into a dangerous valley following orders despite the implied doom.
In plain terms
Soldiers rode into a deadly place to attack enemy guns.
What can you take from it?
Follow orders even when the mission seems suicidal.

Where it applies

  • military operations
  • historical battles
  • command structures

Putting it to work

  • discipline training
  • historical analysis
  • poetry study

Questions to consider

  • When is following orders worth dying for?
  • How do we remember fallen soldiers?

Another view

It romanticizes a blunder that cost many lives.

More from Alfred (Lord) Tennyson

  1. Speak no more of his renown, Lay your earthly fancies down, And in the vast cathedral leave him, God accept him, Christ receive him!

    Permalink to quote #153
  2. 'Forward, the Light Brigade!' Was there a man dismay'd? Not tho' the soldier knew Some one had blunder'd: Theirs not to make reply, Theirs not to reason why, T…

    Permalink to quote #155
  3. Yea, let all good things await Him who cares not to be great But as he saves or serves the state. Not once or twice in our rough island-story The path of duty …

    Permalink to quote #152

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