Bayonet charge

it describes a military charge. This poem seems to be heavily influenced by the fact that Hughes’ father was a veteran of the First World War (having survived his regiment’s massacre at Gallipoli), as well as by the poetry of Wilfred Owen.

Summary of events… a man charges at an enemy hedge he nearly stops he sees an injured hare he continues charging because he is scared.

Stereotypical assumptions Of soldier Portrayal in the poems Admirable skilled Dignified Assured Prepared Willing Resilient and robust King, honour, human dignity

imagery He lugged a rifle numb as a smashed arm The patriotic tear that had brimmed in his eye/ Sweating like molten iron from the centre of his chest his foot hung like/ Statuary in mid-stride the shot-slashed furrows/ Threw up a yellow hare that rolled like a flame King, honour, human dignity, etcetera/ Dropped like luxuries in a yelling alarm Draw the soldier-one minute!

Consider: the use of verbs with an ‘ing’ ending (present participle) the repetition of the word running the use of enjambment to place emphasis on the verbs-his actions His anonymity

The hare In the ‘fight or flight situation of war, the soldier is torn between his obligation to fight and his need to survive. However the poet moves away from the soldier’s experience, describing an injured hare. What do you find interesting about the language that Hughes has used to describe the hare? What do you think the hare represents to the soldier? How important is the image of the hare to your understanding of the poem? Would the poem be as effective without it?

onomatopoeia How many examples can you find?

Comparisons Futility- depiction of soldiers and their role in battle Charge-the verbs used to describe the soldiers Mametz wood- the imagery of war and its results Belfast confetti-onomatopoeia

punctuation Punctuation can affect and alter the pace of a poem.

YouTube - Legends of the Fall - War Scene (Battle of Ypres)