Christian Imagery

Since "If We Must Die" is about dying a noble, meaningful death, it's not surprising that a bit of Christian imagery pops up. In Christian theology, Jesus Christ is a prime example of death made meaningful – though he was killed by his enemies, his death is seen as a noble sacrifice through which all Christians are redeemed from sin.

• Lines 6-7: The speaker says that he doesn't want his allies' "precious blood" to be "shed / In vain. "[P]recious blood" sounds a bit like biblical language, and brings to mind images of Jesus Christ being crucified.