In Flanders Fields by John McCrae Analysis

John McCrae was a Canadian doctor who treated soldiers on the western front, and died of pneumonia in 1918. Although he wasn't a soldier he was still on the front lines and experienced the horrors of war. This poem is meant to make you remember the soldiers that died in the war and why they died, so it wasn't in vain. The title 'In Flanders Fields' sets the poem in one particular place, giving you one aspect of the war. 

• "...the poppies blow": poppies are a symbol of remembrance, we wear them on remembrance day. Also used in drugs like morphine (as a doctor McCrae would know this) so they could also symbolize pain relief or being put at rest.
• "Between the crosses, row on row...": the crosses could be their graves, like they are going to be buried there.
• "We are the Dead": giving the dead a voice, and speaking on behalf of them. Also the 'Dead' has a capital letter which personifies them, makes them seem like a person.
• "Short days ago we lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow, loved and were loved...": a reminder that they were once living  and human but that has been taken from them.
• "Take up our quarrel with the foe..": they don't want to die in vain and want us to carry on the war for them. It's pro-war, because even though they died they thought it was a for a good cause.
• "From you from failing hands we throw the torch; be yours to hold it high": the failing hands could be as they are dying they are failing, and this is their last act, they want others to take over. Passing over the torch is like a relay and they want them to carry on with it. Then the 'hold it high' is wanting them to be prideful and proud about it.
• "If ye break faith with us who die we shall not sleep...": If we loose faith in them then they won't rest in peace, it would be like a curse let on them.
• "..though poppies grow in Flanders fields.": makes it seem like nature is oblivious to what is happening around them and will just carry on regardless.