Bayonet Charge Flashcards
Ted Hughes
Quote 1 “King, honour, human dignity, etcetera”
three important nouns are reduced to nothing as they cannot understand why they should die for them (anti-war)
“etcetera” the poet feels worthless and betrayed and no longer patriotic
dehumanised
Quote 2 “Bullets smacking the belly out of the air”
plosive sounds
describes experiences of poet’s father
enjambment before creates chaotic tone linking to poem being in media res
metaphor conveys idea of man vs nature and is described as Hellish
personification of air implies war disrupts both nature and humanity
Quote 3 “Patriotic tear”
contrast in language emphasises the conflict between soldier’s duty and emotions and questions patriotism
the speaker tries to appear more stoic and masculine to present harmful male stereotypes
