Conflict can be presented in several different ways, as seen in these two particular pieces of writing. I chose these two poems because they show a real contrast in the style they're written, portraying conflict in ways we wouldn't immediately think about.
“The Manhunt" (Simon Armitage) is a poignant piece of writing that focuses on the emotions of an ex-soldier, the poem taking each part of his body and creating an image around it. For example, "climb the rungs of his broken ribs," this is a metaphor used to paint the picture of a delicate journey having to take place. The reader must venture into a fragile environment which is represented by his "broken ribs" being climbed like a damaged ladder. However, "Who's For The Game?" (Jessie Pope)
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gives us a more playful impression, with the idea of propaganda in mind. Conflict is made to sound like a game, fun and a sport that everyone wants to be part of, especially with use of the line, "the red crashing game of a fight." The main difference between these two poems is the writer’s experience which stands out to create two points of view.
Jessie Pope’s point of view is that of a young woman who simply wants the war to be over, keeping her head up and a positive mind-set to get by. She uses every possible method to do this, perhaps no taking the war seriously in a bid for it to finally finish. For example, “when that procession comes” gives us the idea that she can’t wait for the parade to arrive, the end of this “fight” that she’s encapsulated in, certainly not by choice. In contrast, we see Simon Armitage’s point of view which is that of a traumatised man’s wife, dealing with his emotional struggles post-war. The poem ventures into the depths of this woman trying desperately not to damage her partner further than the war has. We’re allowed to see true emotion when we read “would he let me explore,” implying that elements of their relationship have been lost, like trust and the familiarity that they once had. The idea of her exploring leads us to believe that she doesn’t know this new man that the war has sent back for her, she needs to search deeper to actually find the man she once knew. The phrase “would he let me” also suggests that he’s been so deeply effected by the war that he has to slowly let her back into his life and that he’s struggling with this. The two points of view alter the way we read these …show more content…
scripts. The conflict as a concept itself is showed in two very different lights, one, a seemingly more realistic view, one that many would immediately associate war with and the other a more jovial and less serious view. “Who’s For The Game?” uses quotes like “who wants a turn to himself in the show?” and “be out of the fun” to try to persuade men to join what seems like a fun game or sporting show. There are phrases used that degrades war and turns it into an event that anyone can simply turn up to and expect fun, “come along, lads” makes us think that Jessie Pope wants our young men to go to war without taking into account the serious and life changing, even threatening, consequences. Jessie Pope’s motive for this poem was to make war seem like a fight for glory, an experience that every young man should have, like a right of passage. Many people believed that war really was like this, just a passing event that’d soon be over and that many strong, young men could survive. Only when we read “The Manhunt” do we see how damaging the effects really were upon even the strongest of characters.
This piece of more modern poetry wreaks havoc with the reader’s emotions and acts as an eye opener to those who may not understand what the aftermath of war was like for a veteran. Simon Armitage constantly repeats the phrase “only then” which insinuates the lengthy process that this is because “only then” will he let someone who originally knew lots about him back into his life. With the phrase “his body had tightened and closed” we can picture this man, the war acting like a barrier in his life, cutting him off from the people he loves and needs to help the recovery process pass much faster. The last line of the poem reads “then, and only then, did I come close,” which shows us that after cautiously exploring every part of his damaged body, “only then” will he slowly ease her back into his fractured
life. Another element of both poems that allow us to think about the way conflict is described are the titles chosen. “Who’s For The Game?” gives us an insight onto the juvenile nature of the poem, making us think that actually it won’t be very dark in comparison. “The Manhunt” simply gives us the idea that someone’s been so harshly effected that a manhunt is needed to find them again, a completely contradictory feeling to “Who’s For The Game?” In conclusion, we see that war and conflict can be portrayed in many ways and can change the way we feel in the moments we read them. The motive or purpose of the writing is the key factor that makes this change, other factors can be the writer itself and their experiences or even the language that’s chosen to describe the situation. The title is also a key factor, as clearly stated with these two examples.
In the third stanza, the language becomes much darker, words like: anger, explode, and against make this stanza seem even more warlike than the first stanza.
In the short story “The Hunter” the author Richard Stark introduces Parker, the main character of this book. The main character is a rough man, he’s a criminal, a murderer, and even an escaped convict. He’s described as crude and rugged and though women are frightened by him, they want him. Parker is not the classic criminal, but rather he’s intelligent, hard, and cunning. In this story the author carefully appeals to his audience by making a loathsome criminal into a hero, or rather, an anti-hero. The author, Richard Stark uses ethical appeal to make his audience like Parker through the use of phronesis, arête, altruism and lastly the ethos of his audience.
Both poems are set in the past, and both fathers are manual labourers, which the poets admired as a child. Both poems indicate intense change in their fathers lives, that affected the poet in a drastic way. Role reversal between father and son is evident, and a change of emotion is present. These are some of the re-occurring themes in both poems. Both poems in effect deal with the loss of a loved one; whether it be physically or mentally.
Both authors use figurative language to help develop sensory details. In the poem It states, “And I sunned it with my smiles, And with soft deceitful wiles.” As the author explains how the character is feeling, the reader can create a specific image in there head based on the details that is given throughout the poem. Specifically this piece of evidence shows the narrator growing more angry and having more rage. In the short story ” it states, “We are below the river's bed. The drops of moisture trickle among bones.” From this piece of text evidence the reader can sense the cold dark emotion that is trying to be formed. Also this excerpt shows the conflict that is about to become and the revenge that is about to take place. By the story and the poem using sensory details, they both share many comparisons.
The subsequent section is concise as it provides the depressive historical context of the poem. The usage of factual period of time 1949 and the war / Now four years dead- conveys the suffering of the exiles and their endurance of the lengthy wait to migrate as they weren’t economically or physically capable to leave earlier.
The powerful poem ‘Weapons Training’ showcases a sergeant, through malicious words, guiding his troops. However it is through ‘Homecoming’, where Dawe exposes the brutal hopelessness brought forth by the futility of war. Therefore it can be seen that war has an emotional toll on both families and the soldiers. Both poems have a recurring message that all war does is bring loss, death and mourning, showcasing Dawes strong opinions about a futile
In both the poem and short story you will see examples of the conflict man versus self. They are battling both internal and external battles that make them question what is right or wrong
however, this is actually a contrast that would strongly influence the courses of the two poems to
The theme of the second poem “Incident” is, words are powerful, this theme portrays that words are powerful and can hurt people if used in a bad manner. The themes of both poems compare to each other because they both are depicted on racism. Evidence that supports this comparison is in both poems, in the poem “Tableau” on stanza two it says, “From lowered blinds the dark folk stare / And here the fair folk talk, / Indignant that these two should dare / In unison walk”. In the poem “Incident” on This stanza two it says, “And so I smiled, but he poked out / His tongue, and
“The Minefield” is a dark and traumatic poem that expresses the prolonged pain and suffering that is caused by the war. The memories that Thiel’s father carried with him caused him to mentally and physically abuse his family. Thiel is able to recreate her painful childhood by the use of tone, metaphors, and similes. “The Minefield” represents how the war can leave such a negative influence on someone’s life and also affect family and loved ones.
One of my favorite aspects about the poem is how he shows his empathy for the heroes he describes. Instead of telling the reader, “I have empathy for the heroes who rise to confront challenges”, he assumes the role of the heroes in action and describes the events in first person to show the reader examples of courage. One line in the poem reads, “I do not ask the wounded person how he feels, I myself become the wounded person.” When I first read this line, I had difficulties understanding what he meant by “become the wounded”. However, after reading the poem, a couple of times I realized that he means that he can empathize with the heroes. To further show his empathy, he assumes the role of the heroes and narrates the events in first person, while using “I” “me” and “my” instead of “he” or “she”.
The poetry by these two poets creates several different images, both overall, each with a different goal, have achieved their purposes. Though from slightly different times, they can both be recognized and appreciated as poets who did not fear the outside, and were willing to put themselves out there to create both truth and beauty.
Both poems inspire their reader to look at their own life. In addition, they treat the reader to a full serving of historic literature that not only entertains, but also teaches valuable lesson in the form of morals and principles.
Together, is seems as if tension dominates resolution. Resolution can be established at a minor degree, but tension and opposition of ideas plays an initial and grand role in the entertainment of the poem.
Overall, both poets have been victorious over their foe. They have managed to successfully create a satirized poem using some if not all weapons against the foe. They have also been triumphant in leaving a message for the bystanders of the battle, whether it is change in attitude and life or avoidance of certain characteristics that may overtake our lives.