Page 2: Continued Analysis and Comparison

This page continues the in-depth analysis of 'Bayonet Charge' and 'Remains', focusing on their language, imagery, and themes.

Language and Imagery

Both poems use vivid imagery to convey the horrors of war and its psychological impact. 'Bayonet Charge' employs metaphors and similes to describe the soldier's experience, while 'Remains' uses graphic descriptions to portray the lasting mental images of violence.

Example: In 'Bayonet Charge', the line "Bullets smacking the belly out of the air" uses personification to create a visceral image of the battlefield.

Themes

The poems share common themes of fear, confusion, and the lasting impact of war. However, they approach these themes from different perspectives.

'Bayonet Charge' focuses on:

• The chaos and confusion of battle
• The loss of individuality in war
• The conflict between duty and self-preservation

Highlight: The poem explores the dehumanizing effect of war on soldiers.

'Remains' emphasizes:

• The psychological trauma of combat
• The difficulty of reintegrating into civilian life
• The persistent nature of traumatic memories

Highlight: The poem sheds light on the often-overlooked mental health consequences of war.

Comparison of Perspectives

'Bayonet Charge' is written in the third person, allowing for a more detached view of the soldier's experience. This perspective emphasizes the universal nature of the soldier's plight.

'Remains' uses a first-person narrative, providing a more intimate and personal account of the soldier's trauma. This perspective allows readers to connect more directly with the speaker's emotions and experiences.

Quote: "But I blink / and he bursts again through the doors of the bank" (Remains)

This quote illustrates the persistent nature of traumatic memories and the speaker's inability to escape them.

Structural Differences

While both poems use structural techniques to convey their themes, they do so in different ways:

• 'Bayonet Charge' uses a more fragmented structure with varying line lengths and stanza sizes to reflect the chaos of battle.
• 'Remains' maintains a more consistent structure but uses repetition and circular narrative to emphasize the recurring nature of traumatic memories.

Vocabulary: Circular narrative is a technique where the story ends where it began, often used to show repetition or lack of progress.

Conclusion

The comparison of 'Bayonet Charge' and 'Remains' reveals how different poetic techniques can be used to explore similar themes related to war and its impact on soldiers. Both poems offer powerful insights into the physical and psychological toll of combat, contributing to a broader understanding of war literature.