The Manhunt

Question 1

Form

Answer 1

The poem’ couplet-long stanzas have lines of varying lengths. Initially the couplets rhyme, but later on the rhymes break down, making the poem feel disjointed and reflecting the theme of brokenness.

Question 2

Structure

Answer 2

Different injuries are introduced in different couplets, gradually moving further into the soldier’s body. This allows the reader to explore his body and mind in the same slow process as his wife.

Question 3

Language about the body

Answer 3

• soldier’s body is presented using adjectives that describe damage
• these are paired with metaphors that suggest his body has become a collection of broken objects
  -could suggest that the damage has taken away some of his humanity, or these comparisons could be a way for his wife to understand and come to terms with his injuries

Question 4

Caring language

Answer 4

-range of different verbs is used to describe how the woman is caring for the injured man
-Verbs like “trace” and “attend” are gentle, while “bind” shows how she is helping him to regain his strength
-These words show how carefully and delicately she cares for him

Question 5

Love

Answer 5

• the soldier’s wife is sensitive in her approach to her wounded husband
• she wants to help him and is trying to get to know him again to understand what he’s going through

Question 6

Patience

Answer 6

• takes the whole poem for the woman to just “come close” to her husband, and it’s unclear how much more progress she will be able to make in the future
• this shows how patient they will both have to be for his full recovery

Question 7

Pain

Answer 7

• the imagery in the poem suggests that the soldier suffers both physically and mentally.
  It’s implied that his psychological trauma, rather than physical pain, is the main cause of his suffering.

Question 8

After passionate nights and intimate days

Answer 8

Start of a traditional love poem
Echoes first stages of new relationship and suggests couple are reconnecting
Changed people who have to rediscover the relationship

Question 9

Only then would he

Answer 9

Repetition
Recovery is slow and painstaking

Question 10

Frozen river/ blown hinge

Answer 10

Frozen - restricted flow, emotional and psychological wound, unable to give free expression , coldness separates them
Blown hinge - Articulated joint can’t function as river can’t flow
He is unable to speak or communicate his pain

Question 11

To a sweating unexplored mine buried deep in his mind

Answer 11

Potential for further devastating damage, his precarious, unstable condition, play on mine and mind locates problem as deep psychological consequences of his trauma

Question 12

Foetus of metal

Answer 12

Contrast between vulnerability of foetus and violence of war
Emotional and psychological damage could grow
Experiences are now a part of him
As life changing as becoming a parent

Question 13

Rungs of his broken ribs

Answer 13

Slow step by step process

Question 14

Fractured rudder of shoulder blade

Answer 14

Damaged body highlights how fragile he is
Body is broken into separate broken objects, dehumanises him
Central image dominates couplet
Rudder guides boat, broken so Eddie is unable to move forward in life