Bayonet Charge

Question 1

BC quotation “Suddenly he ___”

Answer 1

“Suddenly he awoke and was running”
- In media res (in the middle of something)
- Creates a sense of urgency and highlights the chaos of war

Question 2

BC quotation “The patriotic __”

Answer 2

“The patriotic tear that had brimmed in his eye”
- The soldier’s patriotic ideals are useless now he is faced with the reality of war

Question 3

BC quotation “He lugged ___”

Answer 3

“He lugged a rifle numb as a smashed arm”
- Simile
- Suggests the rifle is useless and therefore emphasises how vulnerable he is
- Perhaps could foreshadow the injuries he may gain as a result of the war

Question 4

BC quotation “King, ____”

Answer 4

“King, honour, human dignity, etcetera dropped like luxuries”
- Things that seemed important to the soldier now seem futile (pointless) when he is faced with death
- The pointlessness is reinforced through ‘etcetera’

Question 5

BC themes

Answer 5

Negative portrayal of war
- Hughes depicts the chaotic and unpredictable nature of war which is intensified through focusing on the thoughts and feelings of the individuals in the poem
- Challenging patriotic ideas

Question 6

BC Structure

Answer 6

Irregular rhythm reflects the unpredictable nature of war
Caesura
- Reflects how terrible and hard war is
- Gives the reader time to process the imagery
Free verse
- Reflects the person feeling overwhelmed by his thoughts about war
Enjambment (continuing a sentence to the next)
- Overflowing sentences shoe that the speaker is attempting to express too much emotion on a single line
- Quickens the pace of the poem