Bayonet Charge

Question 1

‘The patriotic tear that had brimmed in his eye sweating like molten iron from the centre of his
chest’

Answer 1

Metaphor - feelings of sentimental patriotism have turned

into fear in battle.

Question 2

‘In what cold clockwork of the stars and the nations/was he the hand…?’

Answer 2

Metaphor shows that soldier has been dehumanised and feels like part of a war machine. Rhetorical question shows confusion.

Question 3

‘King, honour, human dignity etcetera / dropped like luxuries’

Answer 3

Reasons for joining conflict are unimportant when fighting. List and ‘etcetera’ emphasises how insignificant they are now.

Question 4

Structure

Answer 4

Poem has a fast pace, broken up by dashes and caesura. Reflects soldier pausing and beginning to
stop and question conflict. Pace picks up at end- enjambment shows final rush to death.

Question 5

Idea/Perspective/Context (AO3)

Answer 5

Refuses to glorify war by showing graphically the terror that ordinary soldiers feel in conflict.

Question 6

Links

Answer 6

Charge of the Light
Brigade
Exposure
Remains
Kamikaze