Poems-Bayonet Charge Flashcards
In medias res
The poem begins in medias res (in the middle of the action). This creates a sense of urgency and highlights the chaos of war.
“King, honour, human dignity, etcetera / Dropped like luxuries in a yelling alarm / To get out of that blue crackling air”.
Listing.Things that seemed important to the soldier before the war now seem futile when faced with death.
The pointlessness of these things is reinforced through the choice of the word “etcetera”.
“The patriotic tear that had brimmed in his eye / Sweating like molten iron from the centre of his chest”.
Simile.
The soldier’s patriotic ideals are useless now he is faced with the reality of conflict.
The contrast between “brimmed”, with its positive connotations of abundance and pride, and “sweating” highlights this contrast.
Comparing the tears to iron dehumanises the soldier and likens him to something mechanical.
“Suddenly he awoke and was running”
The poem begins in media res (in the middle of the action) – this creates a sense of urgency and highlights the chaos of war.
“He lugged a rifle numb as a smashed arm”
Simile.
The image suggests the rifle is useless and therefore emphasises how vulnerable he is.
It could also foreshadow the injuries he might gain because of war.
“In what cold clockwork of the stars…”
Harsh alliteration.
Potentially a reference to fate governing the soldier and his powerlessness.
“the shot-slashed furrows / Threw up a yellow hare that rolled like a flame…its mouth wide / Open silent, its eyes standing out
Gruesome image.
Highlights the brutality of war.
“Stumbling across a field of clods towards a green hedge / That dazzled with rifle fire”.
The verb “stumbling” indicates his lack of control as he is caught up in the chaos of war.
“Bullets smacking the belly out of the air”
Violent imagery.
Highlights the danger of the battlefield.
Comparisons-Internal Conflict
Kamikaze.
Poppies.
Comparisons-Reality of conflict
War Photographer.
Charge of the Light Brigade.
Remains.
Exposure.
Comparisons-Man vs. Nature
Storm on the Island.
The Prelude.
Exposure.
