Relationships in Manhunt Flashcards
Thesis statement
Simon Armitage uses the poem ‘Manhunt’ as a vehicle to expose the profound effects of war on relationships, illustrating how trauma can deeply alter the emotional and physical connection between partners, By narrating from the perspective of the soldier’s wife - an unconventional choice in war poetry - Armitage highlights the delicate process of reconnection and the emotional strain involved in rebuilding intimacy,
topic statement one
Armitage highlights the barriers that have formed as a result of the soldier’s injuries, both in terms of communication and intimate connection.
First quote - passionate nights & intimate days
“after the first phase, after intimate nights and passionate days”
- initially evokes a traditional romantic tone, suggesting a loving reunion
- however, the use of the repetition of “after” signals that his phase has already ended, undercutting the initial romanticism
- The temporal references to ‘night’ and ‘days’ illustrate the delicate, length process of recovery and reinforces the the wife’s role in the soldier’s rehabilitation
“Only then would he let me trace
“Only then would he let me trace the frozen river which ran through his face.”
The metaphor of the “frozen river” conveys emotional numbness, suggesting that the soldier is emotionally distant and that reconnecting is a slow, difficult process. The word “frozen” implies that his emotions are trapped, inaccessible, and unresponsive to the wife’s attempts to connect.
“only then would he let me explore the blown hinge of his”
“Only then would he let me explore the blown hinge of his lower jaw.”
The metaphor of a “blown hinge” suggests that the soldier’s ability to communicate, both physically and emotionally, has been shattered by his trauma,The wife’s act of “exploring” the injury indicates her desire to understand and reconnect with him, but also the difficulty of navigating this broken form of communication. The imagery emphasizes how war not only wounds the body but also disrupts emotional intimacy and connection.
topic statement two
Armitage exposes the deep, lasting impact of physical and emotional trauma on both the soldier and his relationship with his wife.
parachute
“The parachute silk of his punctured lung.”The phrase “parachute silk” evokes fragility and delicacy, highlighting the vulnerability of the soldier’s injury. This image reflects the fragility of the relationship, as the wife attempts to handle the delicate process of healing her husband both physically and emotionally.
Only then could i bind
“only then could i bind the struts and climb the rungs of his broken ribs”
Armitage uses the verbs “bind,” “climb,” and “feel” to convey the wife’s careful and laborious attempts to reconnect with her husband, both physically and emotionally. The use of “struts” and “rungs” introduces a structural, almost mechanical aspect to her healing process, suggesting the difficulty of putting the soldier back together
The foetus of metal
“Skirting along. Only then could I picture the scan, the foetus of metal beneath his chest”
In this line, Armitage uses the phrase “skirting along” to suggest hesitation and the wife’s careful, tentative approach as she navigates her husband’s trauma. The metaphor of the “foetus of metal” evokes a sense of something foreign yet intimately embedded within his body, symbolizing the bullet lodged in his chest
topic statement - 3
Armitage delves deeper into the wife’s emotional journey as she attempts to uncover the full extent of her husband’s trauma and re-establish their connection.
Then i widened
“Then I widened the search.”
The phrase “widened the search” contributes to the semantic field of searching and exploring, signaling a shift from examining the soldier’s physical wounds to delving into his psychological trauma. The word “widened” suggests that the emotional damage is far more extensive than the wife initially realized.
Traced the scarring back to its source
Traced the scarring back to its source to a sweating, unexploded mine buried deep in his mind The metaphor of the “unexploded mine” reinforces this idea, suggesting that the trauma is hidden, dangerous, and potentially volatile. “Traced” conveys the wife’s careful, investigative approach as she seeks to understand the emotional scars that lie beneath his surface. The use of “sweating” and “buried deep” adds urgency and tension to the search, emphasizing how the trauma is not only deeply embedded but also constantly affecting the soldier’s mental state.
Then only did i
“then only then did i come close”
The repetition of “only then” reinforces the long, arduous process, indicating that despite the physical and emotional efforts, true intimacy and understanding are still difficult to achieve. The word “close” implies that while some progress has been made, the connection remains fragile and incomplete. Armitage uses this line to highlight the ongoing struggle and the emotional distance that still exists between the couple, even after the wife has made significant efforts to reach her husband.
