Bayonet Charge Flashcards
(20 cards)
Who wrote Bayonet Charge?
Ted Hughes
What is the main theme of Bayonet Charge?
The chaos and fear of war
What does “sweating like molten iron” suggest in Bayonet Charge?
Pain and intense stress
How does Bayonet Charge depict the soldier’s emotions?
Confusion, panic, and desperation
What does “a yellow hare that rolled like a flame” symbolize in Bayonet Charge?
Vulnerability and destruction
How does the structure of Bayonet Charge reflect the soldier’s experience?
The irregular line lengths and enjambment mirror the chaos and unpredictability of war.
What is the significance of the soldier’s “patriotic tear” in Bayonet Charge?
It highlights the conflict between duty and fear, showing the emotional toll of war.
How does Bayonet Charge use nature imagery to enhance its themes?
Nature is depicted as fragile and indifferent, symbolizing vulnerability amidst violence.
What is the effect of the phrase “cold clockwork of the stars and the nations” in Bayonet Charge?
It conveys the soldier’s realization of being a small, insignificant part of a larger, impersonal mechanism.
How does Bayonet Charge challenge traditional ideas of heroism?
By focusing on fear and confusion rather than bravery, it questions the glorification of war.
How does the fragmented structure of Bayonet Charge reflect the soldier’s experience?
The irregular structure and enjambment reflect chaos and urgency.
How does the tone shift throughout Bayonet Charge, and what effect does this have?
The tone shifts from patriotic to fearful, emphasizing the soldier’s confusion.
How does Bayonet Charge present the conflict between patriotic duty and fear?
The soldier struggles between duty and instinctual fear.
How does enjambment and irregular rhythm affect the pace of Bayonet Charge?
The broken rhythm mirrors the soldier’s erratic movement.
What is the central message of Bayonet Charge about war and heroism?
War strips away idealism, leaving only survival and terror.
Why does Hughes use a third-person perspective in Bayonet Charge rather than a first-person account?
Third-person creates distance, making the soldier’s experience feel universal.
How does Hughes use violent and natural imagery in Bayonet Charge to highlight the soldier’s struggle?
Violent and natural imagery highlight destruction and vulnerability.
How does Bayonet Charge use war imagery differently from Exposure by Wilfred Owen?
Bayonet Charge focuses on immediate chaos and fear, while Exposure emphasizes the slow, relentless suffering of soldiers in harsh conditions.
How does Bayonet Charge reflect the historical experiences of soldiers in World War I?
It reflects the harsh realities soldiers faced in World War I.
How does Bayonet Charge compare to Remains by Simon Armitage in its portrayal of psychological effects of war?
Bayonet Charge captures panic and instinctive fear in battle, whereas Remains explores lingering trauma and guilt after war.
