Bayonet Charge

Question 1

Quote 1 “King, honour, human dignity, etcetera”

Answer 1

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 - contrast poem is in third person limited singular which shows individual’s perspective and emphasises isolation

Question 2

Quote 2 “Bullets smacking the belly out of the air”

Answer 2

plosive sounds
describes experiences of poet’s father - 1 of 17 Lancaster Fusiliers to survive Gallipoli campaign
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
semantic field of body parts and violence

Question 3

Quote 3 “Patriotic tear”

Answer 3

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
inspired by Wilfred Owen - depict realities of war