Summary / Analysis
“In Flanders Fields” is a war poem that describes the battlefield of WW1. Interestingly, the constant bombing of this area, influenced the growth of poppies by disturbing the soil and spreading their seeds. John McCrae paints a scene of poppies blowing between dead soldiers tombstones and birds in the sky singing, though they can not be heard over the gun fire. The dead soldiers speak as a collective (“We are the Dead”), presenting a message that the war is not done. The collective dead state emphasize their past status of being alive, so you understand that they gave their life for this war. They demand that the living carry on their mission, or the dead will not rest peacefully. Unfortunately, for the dead, their message is juxtaposed by the growth of poppies. The dead reassure you, that this power of nature, is not a sign that they will be at peace– only keeping faith with their sacrifice could do that. John McCrae wrote this poem of a fellow solider and friend who died in WW1. The purpose of the poem is to state the importance that we do not let soldiers die in vain.