Question

Fold away all your bright-tinted dresses, turn the key on your jewels today, and the wealth of your tendril-like tresses braid back in a serious way; no more delicate gloves, no more laces, no more trifling in boudoir or bower, but come with your souls in your faces to meet the stern wants of the hour. look around! by the torchlight unsteady the dead and the dying seem one — what! trembling and paling already, before your dear mission's begun? these wounds are more precious than ghastly — time presses her lips to each scar, while she chants of that glory which vastly transcends all the horrors of war. pause here by this bedside. how mellow the light showers down on that brow! such a brave, brawny visage, poor fellow! some homestead is missing him now! some wife shades her eyes in the clearing, some mother sits moaning distressed, while the loved one lies faint but unfearing, with the enemy's ball in his breast. here's another—a lad—a mere stripling, picked up in the field almost dead, with the blood through his sunny hair rippling from the horrible gash in his head. they say he was first in the action; gay-hearted, quick-headed, and witty: he fought till he dropped with exhaustion at the gates of our fair southern city. fought and fell 'neath the guns of that city, with a spirit transcending his years— lift him up in your large-hearted pity, and wet his pale lips with your tears. touch him gently; most sacred the duty of dressing that poor shattered hand! god spare him to rise in his beauty and battle once more for his land! from "the women who went to the field" by clara barton the women who went to the field, you say, the women who went to the field; and pray what did they go for? just to be in the way!— they'd not know the difference betwixt work and play, what did they know about war anyway? what could they do?—of what use could they be?

Answer 1

The texts are from classic literature and explore themes of war and human experiences, suitable for high school English literary analysis.

Step-by-step explanation:

The selection of texts provided appears to be drawn from classic literature, focusing on themes of war, the human experience, and reflection upon the past.

The passages contemplate the harrowing experiences of soldiers, the romanticized remembrances of youth and battle, as well as the roles and perceptions of women in war times.

These writings employ vivid imagery, emotional depth, and explore the complexities of memory, societal roles, and the tragic consequences of war.

This task likely pertains to an English class where students are engaging with literary analysis, thematic exploration, and character studies within the context of different historical periods.