Bayonet Charge Flashcards
What does the quote “Suddenly he awoke and was running — raw” show
The abrupt awakening of the soldier in media res signifies the sudden immersion into the chaos of war. It portrays the rawness of fear and the disorientation experienced in battle.
What does the quote “Bullets smacking the belly out of the air — He lugged a rifle numb as a smashed arm;” show
Hughes personifies the bullets as violent and terrifying, attacking the air, suggesting that nature is also a victim in war. The increasing weight of the soldier’s rifle, described with a powerful simile, symbolises his changing feelings towards war.
What does the quote “The patriotic tear that had brimmed in his eye Sweating like molten iron from the centre of his chest,—”
Hughes explores the idea of the loss of patriotism via the “patriotic tear”, suggesting that the sense of loyalty and idealism the soldier previously is now felt painfully, metaphorically “molten ore”.
What does the quote “In bewilderment then he almost stopped —” show
Hughes illustrates the soldier’s existential crisis amidst the chaos of battle. The soldier’s momentary halt reflects his confusion as he questions his purpose in the war.
What does the quote “Threw up a yellow hare that rolled like a flame And crawled in a threshing circle, its mouth wide Open silent, its eyes standing out.” Show
The image of the terrified hare symbolises the innocent victims of war, highlighting the brutality and devastation inflicted upon both humans and the natural world.
What does the quote “His terror’s touchy dynamite.” Show
The soldier’s anxiety is likened to volatile dynamite, emphasising the explosive nature of fear in combat. It underscores the psychological toll of war on individual soldiers.
What does the quote “Was he the hand pointing that second?” Show
The soldier questions his role in the grand scheme of war, pondering the arbitrary nature of his actions and the forces that dictate them. Hughes critiques the dehumanisation of soldiers.
What does the quote “King, honour, human dignity, etcetera Dropped like luxuries in a yelling alarm” show
Hughes portrays the soldier’s abandonment of lofty ideals in the frantic pursuit of survival. This highlights the harsh reality of war, where ideals crumble in the face of immediate peril.
What does the quote “… his foot hung like Statuary in mid-stride …” show
The soldier’s halted movement, likened to a statue, symbolises the profound existential crisis he faces in the midst of battle. Hughes critiques the senselessness of war and the loss of agency experienced by soldiers.
What does the quote “To get out of that blue crackling air” show
The soldier’s desperate desire to escape the chaos of battle is vividly depicted by Hughes. The imagery of “blue crackling air” conveys the visceral intensity and danger of warfare.
What is the form in the poem
-The poem uses enjambment and caesura and has lines of unequal length
-creating an irregular rhythm which mirrors the soldier struggling to run through the mud
What is the structure of the poem
-The poem starts in media res
-the first stanza the soldier is acting on instinct
-time comes to a stand still in the second stanza
-in the final stanza the soldier gives up and his thoughts and his ideals and seems to have lost his humanity
What is the figurative language in the poem
The poem includes powerful figurative language to emphasise the horrors and physical pain of the charge
