Bayonet Charge Flashcards
(14 cards)
1
Q
Who is Bayonet Charge written by?
A
Ted Hughes
2
Q
What is the structure for Bayonet Charge?
A
- Irregular rhythm
- Caesura
- Free verse
- Enjambment
- In media res
3
Q
What does the irregular rhythm show?
A
- Reflects the unpredictable nature of war
- Soldier’s disorented state of mind
4
Q
What does the caesure show?
A
- Breaks the flow, mirrors the sudden pauses in action and thought
- Gives space to process the fear and violence - reflects soldier’s momentary confusion and panic
5
Q
What does the free verse show?
A
- Lacks a fixed pattern, reflects how war breaks structure and order
- Mirrors overwhelming experience of the soldier
6
Q
What does the enjambment show?
A
- Sentences spill over lines, reflecting breathlessness, panic, overwhelming rush of emotions
- Creates sense of urgency and frantic movement
7
Q
How is the theme of brutal reality of war shown?
A
- War is shown as traumatic, chaotic, emotionally overwhelming
- Explored through violent imagery and soldier’s shocked, reactive behaviour
8
Q
“Suddenly he awoke and was running”
A
- In media res - throws the reader into the action, mimics the soldier’s own shock
- Immediate fear and disorientation
- Like a nightmare than a noble mission
9
Q
“Patriotic tear that had brimmed in his eye”
A
- Irony - romanticised idea of serving one’s country fades
- Highlights emotional manipulation
- Patriorism is momentary and fragile
10
Q
“He lugged a rifle numb as a smashed arm”
A
- Simile - suggests the weapon is burdensome, like an injury
- rifle (a symbol of war) is dead weight—emphasises futility.
- Could foreshadow the violence to come
11
Q
“King, honour, human dignity, etcetera dropped like luxuries”
A
- List and irony – These values once seemed noble, but now are seen as pointless.
- ‘Etcetera’ dismisses them, as if they’re meaningless in life-or-death moments.
- Reinforces the soldier’s total disillusionment.
12
Q
“His foot hung like / Statuary in mid-stride”
A
- Simile – Compares the soldier to a statue, frozen in fear and confusion.
- Suggests inner conflict—hesitation or paralysis caused by overwhelming fear
13
Q
A
14
Q
A
