# Home, Sweet Home explained — Poetry

> Chapter companion for Poetry by Frances Ellen Watkins Harper.

## What happens

In the midst of the Civil War, soldiers from both sides are momentarily united by a shared song about home, transcending their enmity and reminding them of their common humanity.

## Themes in this chapter

### Hope and Redemption

The shared song offers a moment of hope and reconciliation, suggesting that even in war, common bonds can emerge.

### Resilience and Sacrifice

Soldiers endure strife and carnage yet find resilience through memories of home and family.

## Character check-ins

### The People

The soldiers from both camps who join in singing 'Home, Sweet Home'

## Key lines

> In the silence of the even, When the cannon’s lips were dumb, Thoughts of home and all its loved ones To the soldier’s heart would come.

In the quiet evening, after the cannons had stopped firing, soldiers would think of home and their loved ones.

_Highlights the contrast between war and peaceful memories._

> For awhile, all strife forgotten, They were only brothers then, Joining in the sweet old chorus, Not as soldiers, but as men.

For a short time, they forgot their conflict and became brothers, singing together as human beings rather than enemies.

_Emphasizes the unifying power of music and shared humanity._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/poetry_7_se/chapters/home-sweet-home
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/poetry_7_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/poetry_7_se/chapters