Bayonet Charge - Ted Hughes Flashcards
1
Q
“Suddenly he awoke and was running”
A
- en media res
- as if woken up from a dream
- shaken back to reality
2
Q
“raw / In raw-seamed hot khaki”
A
- vulnerability/exposure
- experience is ineffable → repetition of “raw”
- repetition could also symbolise a static image stuck in time
3
Q
“rifle numb as a smashed arm”
A
- his weapon has become an extension of his body
- war is a part of him → inescapable but also traumatising + hard to get rid of
- “numb” could mean useless
4
Q
“patriotic tear that had brimmed in his eye”
A
- pride felt for his country has disappeared
- losing faith
5
Q
“King, honour, human dignity… dropped like luxuries”
A
- all of his values were meaningless in the conext of survival
- “luxuries” → unnecessary
- “King, honour” → patriotic redundancies
6
Q
“His terror’s touchy dynamite”
A
- emotional terror → sensitive (“touchy”)
- weaponises his fear
- he has had an epiphany → can use his fear as a weapon
