Bayonet charge Flashcards
What inspired Ted Hughes to write Bayonet Charge?
The story is based on how his Dad fought and survived the first world war
What is a Bayonet?
A bayonet is a knife, dagger, sword, or spike-shaped weapon designed to fit on the end of the muzzle of a rifle, musket or similar firearm, allowing it to be used as a spear
How does the poem start?
-“Suddenly he awoke and was running-“
this suggests he was in some kind of trance, possibly because the war was on going and the fighting never stopped (Dream-like)
How is the character before stopping?
“dazzled” by the sights around him as if its some kind of show, still in a sort of dreamy trance, he’s in a state of “bewilderment” before suddenly stopping mid stride (semantic field of confusion)
Before the character stops how can we tell his heart is not in it?
-“Raw”
-“Stumbling across a field of clods”
-“Sweating like molten iron from the centre of his chest,”
this shows how he isn’t focused on what is happening increasingly becoming overwhelmed and fearing for his life he begins to break down
How is breathlessness presented within this poem?
Hughes effectively uses punctuation “-“ when the character is running to show tiredness, this also happens when the character stops and doesn’t continue after as they have stopped running. This allows the reader to reflect and take in what has happened. The writer also uses the alliteration of “h” for example “hot khaki, his sweat heavy,” exaggerating his breathing….
How does Hughes use imagery of a clock?
-“Cold clockwork”
-“Was he the hand pointing second?”
As the turning point of the poem it allows the character to reflect on something as simple seeming as time and question what is happening and why is he here. Is he doing any good? etc
