The Manhunt Flashcards
(8 cards)
context
Historical Context: The poem was written in 1998, inspired by the experiences of soldiers returning from the Bosnian War. It highlights the often-overlooked psychological wounds of war, particularly PTSD, and the challenges faced by those attempting to support affected individuals.
Literary Context: Simon Armitage is known for his contemporary poetry that addresses social issues. The Manhunt is part of his collection The Not Dead, which explores themes of war and its effects on soldiers and their families.
language and imagery
Metaphor: The poem uses metaphors to describe the soldier’s injuries, such as “the frozen river which ran through his face,” symbolizing the coldness and distance between the couple.
Sensory Language: Armitage employs tactile imagery, with phrases like “the blown hinge of his lower jaw,” to convey the physicality of the soldier’s injuries.
Alliteration and Assonance: The repetition of consonant and vowel sounds in phrases like “mind” and “mine” creates a haunting rhythm, emphasizing the psychological impact of war.
structure and form
Couplets: The poem is written in rhymed couplets, reflecting the intimate and personal nature of the relationship.
Rhyme Scheme: The consistent rhyme scheme mirrors the wife’s persistent efforts to reconnect with her husband, while occasional breaks in the pattern signify moments of emotional disruption.
Enjambment: The use of enjambment reflects the ongoing and often fragmented nature of the wife’s journey to understand her husband’s trauma.
themes
The Effects of War: The poem explores the lasting impact of war on soldiers and their families, highlighting both physical and psychological scars.
Love and Healing: It examines the role of love and compassion in the healing process, as the wife seeks to understand and support her husband.
Isolation and Communication: The poem addresses the challenges of communication and the emotional distance that can arise in relationships affected by trauma.
quotes
‘the frozen river which ran through his face’
‘parachute silk of his puncture lung’
‘unexploded mine buried deep in his mind’
‘the frozen river which ran through his face’
ltierary techniques:
Metaphor: The “frozen river” likens the scar to a cold, unyielding force, suggesting emotional numbness and the permanence of trauma.
Imagery: The image evokes a sense of something once fluid and life-giving (a river) now hardened and immobilized, mirroring the husband’s emotional state.
Personification: Describing the scar as a “river” gives it life and movement, indicating the ongoing presence of the husband’s past experiences.
thematic implications:
Trauma and Its Effects: The metaphor highlights the enduring nature of trauma, suggesting that the husband’s experiences continue to affect him deeply.
Emotional Distance: The “frozen” aspect implies a barrier between the couple, indicating the difficulty of reconnecting emotionally after such experiences
Memory and Identity: The scar represents a permanent mark on the husband’s identity, signifying how his past has shaped who he is.
‘parachute silk of his puncture lung’
literary techniques:
Metaphor: The “parachute silk” likens the lung to a fine, delicate material, suggesting vulnerability and the ease with which it can be damaged.
Alliteration: The repetition of the ‘p’ sound in “parachute” and “punctured” creates a soft, almost whispering effect, mirroring the tenderness and care required in handling the injury.
Juxtaposition: The contrast between “parachute silk” (a symbol of lightness and delicacy) and “punctured lung” (a symbol of injury and damage) emphasizes the severity of the wound and the fragility of the soldier’s condition.
thematic implications:
Fragility and Vulnerability: The metaphor highlights the delicate nature of the soldier’s injuries, both physical and emotional, underscoring the profound impact of war on the human body.
Intimacy and Care: The wife’s gentle exploration of her husband’s injuries reflects themes of intimacy, trust, and the deep bond between them, as she navigates the complexities of his trauma.
War’s Lingering Effects: The line underscores the lasting consequences of war, suggesting that the physical wounds are just as significant as the emotional scars, and both require healing and understanding.
‘unexploded mine buried deep in his mind’
literary techniques:
Metaphor: The “unexploded mine” serves as a metaphor for the soldier’s PTSD, indicating a hidden yet volatile emotional state.
Personification: Describing the mine as “sweating” imbues it with human-like qualities, emphasizing the anxiety and potential for sudden eruption inherent in the soldier’s condition.
Alliteration: The repetition of the ‘m’ sound in “mine” and “mind” creates a rhythmic connection, reinforcing the centrality of the soldier’s mental state in the poem
thematic implications:
Psychological Trauma: The metaphor underscores the enduring and perilous nature of PTSD, suggesting that the soldier’s mental wounds are as dangerous and unpredictable as an unexploded mine.
Emotional Distance: The “buried deep” aspect implies that the trauma is concealed within the soldier’s psyche, creating a barrier to emotional intimacy and understanding.
Uncertainty and Tension: The imagery evokes a sense of impending danger, reflecting the volatile and unpredictable nature of the soldier’s emotional state.
