Skip to content
quotesby

About this quote

What does it mean?
Despite heavy losses, some soldiers survive the deadly engagement and return.
In plain terms
Many soldiers died but a few survived the deadly battle.
What can you take from it?
Survival often comes with heavy loss.

Where it applies

  • post battle
  • survival stories
  • remembrance

Putting it to work

  • historical writing
  • memorial speeches
  • grief counseling

Questions to consider

  • Who deserves credit for survival?
  • How do we honor the dead?

Another view

Survival does not negate the tragedy of those lost.

More from Alfred (Lord) Tennyson

  1. Cannon to right of them, Cannon to left of them, Cannon in front of them Volley'd and thunder'd; Storm'd at with shot and shell, Boldly they rode and well, Int…

    Permalink to quote #156
  2. Perfectly beautiful: let it be granted her: where is the fault? All that I saw (for her eyes were downcast, not to be seen) Faultily faultless, icily regular, …

    Permalink to quote #158
  3. '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

Related quotes

  1. It was the elision of the weaker element--the survival of the fittest; and some, indeed very many, mothers must lose their sons that way.

    Zane GreyZane Grey quote #2
  2. Our men fought bravely, but the enemy repulsed me. Many valuable lives were lost. Our God was my shield. His protecting care is an additional cause for gratitu…

    Thomas JacksonThomas Jackson quote #8
  3. We now talk of our killed and wounded. There is however a very happy feeling. Those who escape regret of course the loss of comrades and friends, but their own…

    Rutherford B. HayesRutherford B. Hayes quote #22