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About this quote

What does it mean?
Even in battle, soldiers dream of home comforts, showing their humanity amidst violence.
In plain terms
Soldiers think of home while fighting.
What can you take from it?
Remember that combatants retain personal hopes and memories.

Where it applies

  • combat zones
  • letters home

Putting it to work

  • provide morale support
  • share personal narratives

Questions to consider

  • How do personal memories affect soldiers in combat?
  • Can dreaming of home be a coping mechanism?

Another view

The line may oversimplify the trauma of war.

More from Siegfried Sassoon

  1. Soldiers are citizens of death's grey land, Drawing no dividend from time's to-morrows. In the great hour of destiny they stand, Each with his feuds, and jealo…

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  2. If I were fierce, and bald, and short of breath, I'd live with scarlet Majors at the Base, And speed glum heroes up the line of death.

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  3. I have seen and endured the sufferings of the troops, and I can no longer be a party to prolong these sufferings for ends which I believe to be evil and unjust…

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