Bayonet Charge by Hughes

Question 1

Opening

Answer 1

‘Suddenly he awoke and was running’
- thrusts the listener into the action and relates to the idea of waking up.
-By opening in Medias Res there is no warning of the fighting to come and the reader has no chance to prepare for it, this mirrors the shock soldiers would have felt going into battle

Question 2

repetition of raw

Answer 2

‘raw in raw-seamed hot khaki’
-The use of repetition creates a sense of desperation. The connotations of “raw” are animalistic which denotes a lack of humanity in the situation.
-reminiscent of stuttering as if the solider is experiencing a breakdown as a result of their anxiety and stress

Question 3

physical impact

Answer 3

‘his sweat heavy’
-metaphor shows physical impact of soldiers fear

Question 4

belly

Answer 4

‘Bullets smacking the belly out of the air’
-This metaphor creates a tense, violent atmosphere and also alludes to someone being winded and unable to breathe.
-it is a striking example of onomatopoeia and vivid imagery that effectively conveys the chaos and violence of the battlefield. The use of the verb “smacking” suggests a forceful impact, while the use of the word “belly” creates a visceral and disturbing image of the bullets tearing through the air.
-The phrase “out of the air” emphasizes the sudden and unpredictable nature of the attack, as if the bullets are appearing out of nowhere to strike the soldiers.

Question 5

clock

Answer 5

‘In what cold clockwork of the stars and the nations’
-Mechanical imagery is emphasised by the harsh alliteration and implies that the soldier has been dehumanised in his role.

Question 6

questioning

Answer 6

‘Listening, for the reason Of his still running’
-The soldier begins to further question the reason for him fighting
-internal conflict

Question 7

farm

Answer 7

‘shot-slashed furrows’
-Rural imagery is subverted to create a juxtaposition between the nourishing connotations of farming and the life being taken away in the same place.

Question 8

hare

Answer 8

‘Threw up a yellow hare that rolled like a flame’
-the simile “rolled like a flame” emphasises the energy and movement of the animal which is rapid and swift which links to the overall pacey tone of the poem. The use of the word “flame” also suggests the destructive power of the battle, and the way in which it consumes and devours everything in its path.
-The violent connotations of “Threw up” contrast with the innocence connotated by a hare.

Question 9

listing

Answer 9

‘King, honour, human dignity, etcetera Dropped like luxuries’
-The soldier appears to have completely abandoned his previously upheld values,morals and motivation to fight and the only goal is surviving
-simile suggests that in the midst of battle, nothing holds any meaning or importance
-etcetera shows how boundless the list is’