The Manhunt - about Flashcards
what is the poem about?
A soldier comes back from war injured. His wife is the speaker of the poem and it explores the physical scars to the mental scars and how it affected and effects him.
What is the form of the poem
couplet long stanzas with varying lengths. Initially the couplets rhyme but later on the rhymes break down to reflect the theme of brokenness
What is the structure of the poem
different injuries are introduced in different couplets, gradually moving further through the soldier’s body. This allows the reader to explore his body and his mind at the same time as his wife
what is the soldier’s body presented by
adjectives to describe damage. these are paired with metaphors to become a collection of broken objects
what does the language about the soldiers body suggest
the damage has taken away some of his humanity. Comparisons could be a way for his wife to understand and come to term with his injuries
how is caring language shown
by the use of verbs
what does the caring language show
she is helping him regain his strength. these words stress how carefully and delicately she cares for him
what is the feeling of love showing in the poem
the wife is sensitive in her approach to her wounded husband, she wants to help him and get to know him again in order to understand him
what is the feeling of patience showing in the poem
takes the whole poem for the wife to “come close” to him, it is unclear how much progress will be able to be made in the future. shows how patient they must have to be for him to recover fully
what is the feeling of pain showing in the poem
imagery in the poem suggests the solder suffers both physically and mentally. It’s implied that his psychological trauma, rather than his physical pain, is the main cause of his suffering
which poem does this compare to
‘Dulce et decorum est’ and ‘she walks in beauty’
how does it compare to ‘dulce et decorum est’
both about war and focus on the soldiers
how does it compare to ‘she walks in beauty’
both poems discuss a lovers body
