Bayonet Charge Flashcards
Context of Bayonet Charge
Poem was published in 1957 but set in WWI. Ted Hughes himself never fought in the war but his father did & survived WWI, left traumatised for life. Hughes fascinated by his experiences, highlights the brutality of trench warfare in this poem to tribute his father’s suffering
Key quotes of Bayonet Charge
Repetition of “raw” - emphasises the desperation of troops. ALSO has animalistic connotations - lack of humanity, soldiers have been desensitised by war
“Bullets smacking the belly” - metaphorical phrase. Ideas of violence, physcal pain. Imagery of someone winded/unable to breathe, creating an uncomfortable & uneasy feeling for readers
“Patriotic fear” - soldier’s moment of realisation, questioning what he is doing there.
“Yellow hare” with “its mouth wide, open silent” - contrasts to the innocence connotated by ‘hare’. Hare is either screaming OR dead
“Lugged a rifle numb as a smashed arm” - solider feels disconnected from his weapon, uncomfortable holding it. Emphasises his unsuitability for this role
“Running like a man who has jumped up in the dark” simile. Lost & directionless on battlefield, poor leadership
“stumbling” “lugged” clearly injured or lost
Structure & form of Bayonet Charge
Poem begins In media res - “Suddenly”, reflects how soldiers were thrown into war
Enjambment stops the reader from taking pauses/breaks, quickening the pace & building tension. 1st stanza is a single sentence creating panic
Caesura in 2nd stanza creates a slower pace, reflecting the soldier stopping to consider the philosophical meaning of war.
Hughes frequent use of enjambment & caesura makes the poem feel disjointed, confusing & difficult to read (much like the experience of war)
3 stanzas all of same length apart from the 2nd stanza where the soldier stops to think & realises what he is doing - reflects how soldiers were regimented & trained not to think but simply listen to orders.
