A: Abstract
1.) Describe your initial thoughts and/or feelings about the work.
Although it is difficult to give my initial reaction to the Battle Hymn of the Republic as I cannot remember a time that this song has not been sang in my family. Just hearing the words to this song has always made me think of the sacrifices that were made by all the generations in the past and of the trials and tribulations of all the soldiers that have died to help create a safe and free country where we all can live in peace.
2.) Describe in detail at least one aspect of the work that most interests you.
I was somewhat surprised that a woman, Julia Ward Howe in 1861 wrote this hymn. Given the period and the emotion captured in the wording of this hymn I always assumed that it was written by a soldier during the war.
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Analyze the work (suggested length of 2–4 pages) by doing the following:
1. Describe the historical context of the period in which the work was written.
The Battle Hymn of the Republic was written in 1861 by Julia Ward Howe. Julia was on a Civil Wartime tour with her husband and pastor when she wrote the hymn. This was a very tumultuous time, with extreme suffering all over the nation.
After seeing the trials and tribulation surrounding her she is inspired by the soldiers singing to write an alternate wartime song that might help encourage and give the troops hope to carry on throughout the war. During this period people needed seemed to need something to help sustain their spirit and faith that they were doing the right thing despite the suffering and destruction around them. The words and melody of this hymn seemed to strike a chord in individuals and groups alike, creating an anthem of faith, hope and victory in this very trying time.
Almost two hundred years latter this hymn is still considered one of the most loved and familiar patriotic songs in the United States.