PATIENCE AND PERSEVERENCE Flashcards
(7 cards)
overview
In Simon Armitage’s The Manhunt, the theme of Patience and Perseverance is evident in the speaker’s slow and careful process of trying to understand and heal the emotional and physical scars of her partner, who has been affected by war. The journey of healing requires a deep level of care, understanding, and patience. Armitage conveys this gradual, persistent healing process through the careful selection of imagery and metaphor.
“The frozen river which ran through his veins”.
The poem opens with the line, “The frozen river which ran through his veins”. This metaphor immediately sets the tone for the poem: cold, distant, and difficult. The image of a “frozen river” suggests a profound emotional blockage, as if the man’s feelings and experiences have hardened over time. The river, usually a symbol of life and flow, has become frozen, meaning that the emotional healing or recovery process has been halted. This highlights the patience required from the speaker. She understands that the thawing of his emotions won’t happen quickly, and perseverance will be needed as she waits for him to open up. The tone here is somber and heavy, evoking the emotional weight of the situation. The use of the metaphor emphasizes the slow and difficult journey to recovery, where each step requires time and careful effort
, “Only then would he let me trace the scarring”.
The theme of patience is continued in the line, “Only then would he let me trace the scarring”. The speaker is forced to wait until her partner is ready to reveal his scars, both physically and emotionally. The word “only” emphasizes the idea that this process is conditional — it is not something that can be rushed. The word “trace” suggests a careful, deliberate action, reinforcing the idea that healing is a slow, methodical process. The speaker’s patience is evident as she waits for her partner’s permission to “trace” his scars, symbolizing the care she must show in uncovering the trauma. This quote shows how the speaker is committed to persevering through this delicate process, ensuring that their relationship and his emotional wounds are handled with the utmost care. The tone remains gentle, focusing on the tenderness and the carefulness required.
“And handle with care”
Another key moment comes with the line, “And handle with care”. Here, the speaker is not just waiting for permission to explore the man’s scars but also receiving a clear directive: the trauma is fragile, and any attempt to heal or understand it must be done with extreme caution. The repetition of “handle with care” emphasizes the delicate nature of the task. The speaker must be patient, as rushing the process could cause further harm or distress. The use of the imperative in this phrase highlights the importance of patience and care, demonstrating the speaker’s deep understanding of the emotional fragility her partner is experiencing. The tone here is protective and tender, reflecting the nurturing role that the speaker takes on throughout the poem.
“The blown hinge of his lower jaw”
As the poem progresses, the image of “The blown hinge of his lower jaw” stands out. This stark and haunting metaphor suggests a physical injury that is not easily repaired, symbolizing the irreversible damage caused by the man’s experiences. The word “blown” implies an explosive or violent impact, and the “hinge” suggests something that once allowed movement — now broken and dysfunctional. This reinforces the theme of patience and perseverance because the speaker realizes that this injury cannot be healed quickly or easily. The trauma has left permanent marks, and it requires a long process of healing. The broken hinge symbolizes the patience required to help fix what has been shattered, both physically and emotionally. The tone of this line is one of sadness and helplessness, reinforcing the idea that healing from such deep wounds is a slow and painful process.
Only then did I come close”
Finally, the line “Only then did I come close” signifies the culmination of the speaker’s efforts and the gradual breakthrough in their relationship. After all the waiting, tenderness, and careful handling of the man’s emotional state, the speaker is finally able to come “close” to him. The word “only” emphasizes the amount of time and effort that had to be invested before this closeness could happen. This moment suggests that patience and perseverance are essential for any true emotional connection to form. The tone here shifts slightly, moving from a sense of waiting and tenderness to a feeling of achievement and intimacy. It shows that, through sustained effort, the speaker has broken through the walls of emotional isolation.
conclusion
In conclusion, throughout The Manhunt, the theme of Patience and Perseverance is woven into every line, illustrating the slow and difficult process of healing from trauma. The speaker’s emotional journey with her partner requires immense patience, carefulness, and persistence. The tone remains somber and tender throughout the poem, emphasizing the delicate nature of recovery, while the structure reinforces the gradual, step-by-step approach to healing. This poem beautifully captures how love and care can help overcome even the deepest wounds, but only through time and unyielding perseverance.
