The Manhunt (Edexcel GCSE English Literature)

Revision Note

Author

The Manhunt

In the Edexcel GCSE English Literature exam, you will be asked to focus on one poem, printed in full, and compare it with another poem in the Relationships Anthology. You will not have access to this comparison poem because it is a closed book exam.

To answer the question, you will need to remember key aspects of the comparison poem, such as its meaning, its main ideas and the poet’s message, as well as how the poet conveys their ideas through the poetic devices, language and form they use.

Below is a guide to Simon Armitage’s celebrated poem 'The Manhunt', from the Edexcel Relationships Anthology. It includes:

Overview: a breakdown of the poem, including its possible meanings and interpretations
Writer’s methods: an exploration of the poet’s techniques and methods
Context: an exploration of the context of the poem, relevant to its themes
What to compare it to: ideas about which poems to compare it to in the exam

Exam Tip

As part of the Relationships Anthology, 'The Manhunt' examines themes related to romantic love and feelings of loss or distance in a relationship. The exam question asks you to compare the way poets have presented these particular ideas across two anthology poems.

It is therefore important that you learn how themes in 'The Manhunt' compare and contrast with other poems in the anthology rather than understanding the poem in isolation.

See the section below on “What to compare it to” for detailed comparisons of 'The Manhunt' and other poems in the anthology.

Overview

To answer an essay question on any poem it is vital that you understand what it is about. This section includes:

The poem in a nutshell
A “translation” of the poem, section-by-section
A commentary of each of these sections, outlining Simon Armitage’s intention and message

'The Manhunt' in a nutshell

'The Manhunt', written by the poet Simon Armitage, explores intimate romantic relationships. The poem focuses on the impact of war and how grief creates distances.

'The Manhunt' breakdown

Lines 1–2

“After the first phase,

after passionate nights and intimate days,”

Translation

The poem begins by referring to a period of time that has ended
The phrase “first phase” has military connotations (like the “first phase” of battle)
The second line refers to the loving reunion between the speaker and a returned soldier

Armitage's intention

Armitage introduces the theme of time in the first line
The poem’s first lines suggest a loving relationship

Lines 3–4

“only then would he let me trace

the frozen river which ran through his face,”

Translation

The speaker says that it was “only” after this that they were able to touch his face:

The word “trace” implies a gentle, stroking movement
This suggests that regaining real intimacy between the pair took a long time

The metaphor of a “frozen river” alludes to the man’s painful, repressed feelings:

It implies that silenced emotions can be seen in his facial expressions

Armitage's intention

Armitage introduces the emotional distance between the pair
The soldier appears hesitant about intimacy, but the speaker is relieved and keen to rediscover their loved one

Lines 5–8

“only then would he let me explore

the blown hinge of his lower jaw,

and handle and hold

the damaged, porcelain collar-bone,”

Translation

The speaker repeats “only then” to signify the amount of time that had to pass before the soldier allowed real closeness between them:

The verbs “explore”, “handle and hold” suggest physical intimacy

The soldier’s injured body is described as a “blown hinge” and “damaged, porcelain” to remind the reader of tangible, physical objects like a plate

Armitage's intention

Armitage stresses the physical nature of the relationship to draw attention to the way the soldier’s physical injuries have affected the man’s emotions
Here, the close connection between physical and emotional love are highlighted

Lines 9–12

“and mind and attend

the fractured rudder of shoulder-blade,

and finger and thumb

the parachute silk of his punctured lung.”

Translation

These lines continue describing the way the speaker cares for the man:

The speaker’s movements are gentle and careful and imply tenderness

The soldier’s injuries are described metaphorically with military references to a damaged boat (“a rudder”) and a “parachute”

Armitage's intention

Armitage depicts a tender moment in the relationship using present tense verbs that highlight the sensual nature of the relationship
The vivid metaphor draws parallels between the way the soldier was injured and the terrible damage this has done to his body:

The image of “silk” being “punctured” contributes to a sense of the man’s fragility

Lines 13–16

“Only then could I bind the struts

and climb the rungs of his broken ribs,

and feel the hurt

of his grazed heart.”

Translation

These lines describe the speaker exploring the man’s body from his “ribs” to his “heart”
The speaker describes the man’s heart as “grazed”, which implies physical scarring
Using imagery of climbing a ladder (“climb the rungs”) implies a slow struggle:

This also, perhaps, implies the man’s height and stature

Armitage's intention

Armitage refers to physical injuries such as “broken ribs”, but also to a “grazed heart” to convey ideas about the lasting emotional effect of war

Lines 17–18

“Skirting along,

only then could I picture the scan,

the foetus of metal beneath his chest

where the bullet had come to rest.”

Translation

The speaker continues describing the gradual exploration of the man’s chest: “Skirting”
They refer to a “scan” or x-ray that shows where a bullet landed
These lines describe the remnants of a bullet inside the man’s chest

Armitage's intention

Here, Armitage makes explicit reference to war by describing where the man was shot
Describing the bullet as a “foetus of metal” references an unborn baby, perhaps alluding to the impact of war and emphasising the idea of his fragility or vulnerability

Lines 19–23

“Then I widened the search,

traced the scarring back to its source

to a sweating, unexploded mine

buried deep in his mind, around which

every nerve in his body had tightened and closed.”

Translation

These lines increase the poem’s pace as the speaker describes reaching the man’s head, his “mind”
The phrase “widened the search” suggests that simply identifying physical injuries is not enough to regain intimacy in the relationship:

By tracing the “scarring” back to its “source” the speaker will help him recover

The descriptions imply the man represses his thoughts and memories

Armitage's intention

Armitage describes the depth of the man’s pain and his nerves (his mental health)
He explores post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and its impact on relationships

Line 24

“Then, and only then, did I come close.”

Translation

The poem ends as the speaker draws a conclusion about how to get “close” to the man
They say that exploring his mind (his thoughts and feelings) brings a closer connection than exploring his physical injuries

Armitage's intention

Armitage ends the poem with an emphatic statement to provide resolution
The poem parallels physical intimacy alongside emotional intimacy to show the damaging effects of war

Exam Tip

The exam question will ask you to compare how the given poem presents a key theme with another one from the anthology. It is always worth starting your answer using the wording of the question, summarising the key theme in the poem. This demonstrates to the examiner that you have understood what the question is asking of you, but also that you have a good understanding of the poems themselves.

For example, “'The Manhunt' explores the key themes of love and loss. This theme can be linked to…” .

See the section “What to compare it to” for further suggestions.

Writer's methods

Although this section is organised into three separate sections – form, structure and language – it is important to take an integrated approach, focusing on the main themes and ideas of the poem and then evaluating how Armitage’s choices of language, structure and form contribute to these ideas. In essence, how and why the poet has made the choices they have when exploring their intentions and the message of their poem

Focusing on the poet’s main ideas, rather than individual poetic techniques, will gain you more marks in the exam. In the below sections, all analysis is arranged by theme, and includes Armitage’s intentions behind his choices in terms of:

Form
Structure
Language

Exam Tip

When using subject terminology, never focus on listing techniques: “technique spotting” is something examiners explicitly comment that they don’t want to see in exam responses from students.

Instead, focus on the poet’s themes and the poem’s overall message and use references to poetic language, form and techniques as evidence to support your analysis.

Form

The form of 'The Manhunt' conveys the poem’s ideas about how trauma can impact a romantic relationship. Armitage depicts intimate moments between a soldier, returned from war, and their partner, the speaker, and the slow process of trying to reconnect.

Theme	Evidence	Poet's intention
Love and desire	The poem consists of couplets that form 13 short stanzas: The structure symbolically reflects the ladder, the “rungs” the speaker must “climb” to renewed intimacy It also conveys the close bond between the pair	Armitage reflects the slow progression of the speaker exploring their lover’s injured body
	Each couplet rhymes: The regular and repetitive rhythm creates harmony	This reinforces the speaker’s tender actions and is suggestive of the deep love in the relationship
	Enjambment is used across some stanzas to increase pace: This reflects the speaker’s emotions	Armitage exposes the desperation in the speaker’s voice as they try to maintain control despite their urgent need to reconnect
	Armitage conveys the tenderness of a caring lover trying to rediscover a close bond that has been damaged

Structure

The structure of the poem represents the slow and tender journey the speaker takes as they explore the soldier’s physical injuries.

Theme	Evidence	Poet's intention
Love and desire	The poem consists of couplets that form 13 short stanzas: The structure symbolically reflects the ladder, the “rungs” the speaker must “climb” to renewed intimacy It also conveys the close bond between the pair	Armitage reflects the slow progression of the speaker exploring their lover’s injured body
	Each couplet rhymes: The regular and repetitive rhythm creates harmony	This reinforces the speaker’s tender actions and is suggestive of the deep love in the relationship
	Enjambment is used across some stanzas to increase pace: This reflects the speaker’s emotions	Armitage exposes the desperation in the speaker’s voice as they try to maintain control despite their urgent need to reconnect
	Armitage conveys the tenderness of a caring lover trying to rediscover a close bond that has been damaged

Language

The poem combines physical imagery with metaphor to examine the close relationship between bodily injuries and emotional trauma. The poet illustrates the strength of love in the relationship with sensory descriptions.

Theme

Evidence

Poet's intention

Romantic relationships

A metaphor compares the man’s repressed pain with a “frozen river”

Armitage conveys the barriers in the relationship:

The speaker implies the man is numb, difficult to “break through” to

Alliteration across lines describe the man’s injuries:

For example, “porcelain”, “parachute silk” and “punctured”

The sensory imagery alludes to fragility and creates a sentimental tone

Present tense verbs highlight the sensual nature of the shared moments

Physical imagery with verbs like “trace”, “finger and thumb” and “handle” show the tenderness of the speaker

Armitage juxtaposes physical language with emotive language to show links between injury and trauma:

His heart is “grazed”
The speaker can “feel the hurt”
The man’s mind is an “unexploded bomb”, implying repressed trauma

By the end of the poem, Armitage describes the man’s emotional “scarring” to highlight the speaker’s conclusion that trauma is the “source” of his pain

Armitage presents a romantic relationship in which both parties are impacted by the emotional trauma of war rather than its physical damage

Context

Remember that context doesn’t mean providing additional factual information about a writer or a text. Examiners repeatedly state that they are not looking for biographical information about Simon Armitage or facts unrelated to the themes and ideas the poet explores in 'The Manhunt', but rather information that will help to explain the poet’s ideas and perspectives in the poem.

This section has therefore been divided into two relevant themes that Armitage explores:

Complex love
Intimate relationships

Complex love

The poem, 'The Manhunt', written by British poet Simon Armitage, is taken from a 2007 television documentary and a collection called The Not Dead:

The documentary and poetry collection explores soldiers’ experiences in the Iraq War and, particularly, their struggles returning to civilian life at home

In particular, the series of poems raises awareness of the effects of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD):

Armitage draws attention to how this disorder impacts many soldiers and other individuals who have served in military conflict zones

The poem 'The Manhunt' examines the complex process of a traumatised soldier and a loved one trying to regain intimacy
Armitage’s poem describes the symptoms of this disorder, such as isolation and anxiety:

The title suggests a man who is lost, someone who people are looking for, reflecting the distance in the relationship, and the soldier’s isolation
The poem describes symptoms of anxiety in the man’s “tightened” nerves
Armitage illustrates the man’s hesitance to open up and reveal his feelings as a result of conflict: his face is a “frozen river”

The poem uses a semantic field related to the military:

The man’s mind is compared to “a sweating, unexploded mine”, implying repressed trauma from war

Intimate relationships

Simon Armitage, who was previously Poet Laureate, often writes about intimate moments within relationships to bring relatable experiences to life
In the collection The Not Dead, the poem 'The Manhunt' is called ‘Laura’s Poem’:

The poem’s speaker represents Laura, the wife of Eddie Beddoe, who was a peacemaker in the 1990s Croat-Bosniak conflict
Eddie Beddoe was shot three times, causing severe injuries to his face and body
'The Manhunt' describes a tender and patient lover who cares for a soldier’s damaged body after his return from war

But while Armitage bases the poem on a real person, the poem’s depiction of an intimate moment between lovers can be considered universal
The poem is a poignant depiction of a speaker wishing to help their lover heal:

Intimacy in the relationship is conveyed with sensual imagery

Armitage draws attention to the close and loving relationship at the end:

The man’s “buried” emotional “scarring” is not visible to the eye, only to those who can “feel” their loved one’s “hurt”

What to compare it to

The essay you are required to write in your exam is a comparison of the ideas and themes explored in two of your anthology poems. It is therefore essential that you revise the poems together, in pairs, to understand how each poet presents ideas about love or relationships, in comparison to other poets in the anthology. Given that 'The Manhunt' explores the ideas of romantic relationships and complex love, the following comparisons are the most appropriate:

'The Manhunt' and 'Nettles'
'The Manhunt' and 'Neutral Tones'
'The Manhunt' and 'One Flesh'

For each pair of poems, you will find:

The comparison in a nutshell
Similarities between the ideas presented in each poem
Differences between the ideas presented in each poem
Evidence and analysis of these similarities and differences

Exam Tip

One of the best ways to prepare for your exam is to ensure you know how themes are presented across the collection of Relationships poems, rather than revising poems in isolation. It is important you make perceptive comments about the way poets have chosen to present their themes (or messages), and then support your comments with evidence.

Evidence can include language and structural techniques, as well as titles. Remember, it is essential that you not only write about the named poem, but compare it to one other in the anthology. Only writing about the poem given on the paper will limit your marks and mean that you cannot achieve a top grade.

'The Manhunt' and 'Nettles'

Comparison in a nutshell:

Both Simon Armitage’s poem and Vernon Scannell’s poem explore painful emotions that come from love, and depict intimate moments in relationships. However, while Armitage describes a hopeful, romantic relationship, Scannell describes a frustrated parental relationship.

Similarities:

Topic sentence	Both poems describe intimate moments in a loving relationship
Evidence and analysis	'The Manhunt'	'Nettles'
	'The Manhunt' describes a partner caring for an injured loved one	'Nettles', too, describes a tender moment when a parent cares for their son’s injury
	Armitage uses imagery to describe the speaker offering care: They “handle and hold/the damaged, porcelain collar-bone” Armitage stresses the brittle frailty of the man	Scannell, similarly, uses imagery to bring to life the intimate moment when the “boy came seeking comfort”: The speaker says “I saw/White blisters beaded on his tender skin” Here, Scannell emphasises the boy’s innocent fragility
	Armitage uses a semantic field of time to highlight the gradual process of healing: “After” and “Only then” work alongside repetitive couplets to reflect a slow pace	Scannell implies the need for patience in a loving relationship too: The speaker says, “We soothed him till his pain was not so raw” and “At last he offered us a watery grin”
	The poets both present loving relationships that find intimacy through tender care-giving and close attention

Topic sentence	Both poets present painful emotions that come from a sense of powerlessness in loving relationships
Evidence and analysis	'The Manhunt'	'Nettles'
	Armitage alludes to the damaging effects of war on a relationship: The soldier is an “unexploded mine” implying he represses his feelings	Scannell also uses metaphorical imagery related to the military to highlight the impact of external forces on a relationship: The speaker describes a “regiment of spite” and “tall recruits” when referring to nettles
	'The Manhunt' presents a speaker who feels powerless in the relationship: The poem ends “Then, and only then, did i come close”	Similarly, 'Nettles' conveys a sense of frustration: “My son would often feel sharp wounds again”
	Armitage draws attention to connections between the physical and the emotional: He juxtaposes verbs like “mind and attend” against emotive language like “feel the hurt”	The speaker in Scannell’s poem takes action: They “honed the blade” and “lit/A funeral pyre” Scannell emphasises the strong emotions behind the actions: “slashed in fury”
	Both poets conjure vivid allusions to present the strength of love

Differences:

Topic sentence	While Armitage’s poem is an optimistic presentation of the power of tender care, Scannell shows a parent’s limitations and lack of control
Evidence and analysis	'The Manhunt'	'Nettles'
	Armitage’s poem is a sensual description of two lovers: The speaker’s tender touch is described throughout the poem Rhyming couplets create a gentle mood, such as in the lines “trace/the frozen river which ran through his face”	In contrast, Scannell portrays a tense speaker: The poem is one compressed stanza, suggesting tight control The speaker is matter-of-fact Caesura creates an abrupt tone: “It was no place for rest./With sobs and tears”
	Armitage uses imagery and alliteration to create a gentle mood: “the parachute silk of his punctured lung”	Scannell describes the furious actions of the speaker using dark imagery: The speaker builds a “funeral pyre to burn the fallen dead”
	Armitage’s poem is a sentimental presentation of hope in a romantic relationship: The speaker finds an answer to their “search” (their “Manhunt”) by the end	However, Scannell’s poem suggests hopelessness and inevitable lack of control: The speaker feels powerless against nature, implied in “the busy sun and rain/Had called up tall recruits”
	While both poems draw attention to hostile forces in the world, Armitage portrays the power of patient love, while Scannell’s poem presents a speaker who feels defeated

Exam Tip

It is a good idea to begin your answer with a clear overview of the overarching themes within both poems. This means you should outline your choice of second poem in your introduction. You can then use the theme to move between both poems to provide the substance to illustrate your arguments.

However, this does not mean that you cannot focus on one poem first, and then the other, linking ideas back to the main poem. You should choose whichever structure suits you best, as long as comparison is embedded and ideas for both texts are well-developed without too much repetition.

'The Manhunt' and 'Neutral Tones'

Comparison in a nutshell:

This is an effective comparative choice to explore the presentation of distance and loss across the Relationships poems. However, while Armitage’s poem is a sensual description of a physical relationship, Hardy’s poem portrays the bitterness of lost love.

Similarities:

Topic sentence	Both poems portray distance in loving relationships
Evidence and analysis	'The Manhunt'	'Neutral Tones'
	Armitage describes the emotional distance between two people despite physical presence: Although the speaker is touching their lover, their partner’s face is a “frozen river” This metaphor implies barriers between them	Similarly, Hardy describes two lovers together at a lake, but unable to find intimacy: The metaphor “The smile on your mouth was the deadest thing” suggests their distance
	Armitage conveys the speaker’s sadness at the lack of intimacy in the relationship: He uses anaphora: “Only then would he let me”	In Hardy’s poem, too, the speaker describes sad imbalances: The lover’s eyes “rove/Over tedious riddles of years ago” The half-rhyme conveys lack of harmony
	Armitage uses metaphor to allude to the struggle to connect: The speaker must “climb” the “rungs of his broken ribs”	Hardy employs a simile and ellipsis to suggest love eludes the speaker: “Like an ominous bird a-wing…”: This suggest their love flying away
	The poems both portray the sense of isolation that comes from a lack of intimacy in a loving relationship

Topic sentence	Both poems explore feelings of powerlessness in romantic relationships
Evidence and analysis	‘The Manhunt’	'Neutral Tones'
	Armitage illustrates the way trauma has an impact on a close relationship with a third-person description to suggest distance between them	Hardy’s poem similarly portrays frustration in the relationship: The poem is first-person but the speaker addresses a silent listener: “Your eyes rove”
	Armitage emphasises the man’s injuries with imagery: Words like “damaged”, “blown” and “fractured” create a semantic field of destruction	Hardy, too, describes the scene with imagery related to decay: Natural imagery alludes to death: “a few leaves lay on the starving sod” that had “fallen from an ash, and were gray”
	The poem highlights the depth of the man’s trauma “buried deep”, and implies a long road to recovery: The speaker describes how “every nerve in his body had tightened and closed.”	Hardy’s poem refers to a “God-curst sun”, implying a sense of failure or weakness as they are cursed
	The poets present speakers who are frustrated in their relationships because they are unable to resolve their problems

Differences:

Topic sentence	While Armitage’s poem elevates the idea of sensual and romantic love, Hardy’s poem is bitter and cynical
Evidence and analysis	‘The Manhunt’	'Neutral Tones'
	Armitage uses regular couplets to create a slow pace and reflect harmony: Some stanzas rhyme, such as in “chest” and “rest” to describe sensual moments	Hardy’s speaker, however, is resentful: Four regular quatrains that rhyme in an abba pattern create an ironic voice Disrupted lines like “– They had fallen from an ash, and were gray” convey resignation
	The poem focuses on the physical closeness of two lovers: Present tense verbs describe tender actions	Hardy’s poem describes conflict between the pair in metaphorical images like “a grin of bitterness”
	Armitage’s speaker is sentimental and gentle: Assonance emphasises emotive lines, such as “and feel the hurt/of his grazed heart.”	In contrast, Hardy’s speaker is nonchalant and casual: Lines like “some words played between us to and fro” imply hidden emotions
	Armitage’s poem is a sentimental description of healing love, whereas Hardy’s poem is a cynical comment on relationships that are ending

'The Manhunt' and 'One Flesh'

Comparison in a nutshell:

Both poems explore the presentation of romantic relationships and the complexities of love. However, while Armitage describes a sensual, physical relationship, Jennings describes the lack of intimacy that comes with familiarity.

Similarities:

Topic sentence	Both poems portray loving relationships that offer comfort
Evidence and analysis	‘The Manhunt’	‘One Flesh’
	Armitage describes intimate moments in a relationship: Repetitive couplets describe the speaker’s gentle touch Alliteration creates a poignant tone in “parachute” and “punctured”	The poem describes a couple in bed at night: Sensory imagery creates an intimate mood, such as “How cool they lie” and “Touching them gently” Alliteration highlights the “light on late”
	Armitage implies patient tenderness in the relationship with a pattern of verbs: The speaker would “explore”, and “attend” to the loved one This is repeated throughout the poem to suggest steadfast love	Jennings conveys a sense of calm constancy in the steady iambic pentameter and regular rhyme scheme
	Emotive language in the poem links the physical to emotional intimacy: The speaker can “feel the hurt” of their “grazed heart”	In ‘One Flesh’ emotive language conveys the strength of the bond: “Of having little feeling – or too much.”
	The poems both describe intimate and long-lasting romantic relationships

Topic sentence	Both poems offer perspectives on distance in romantic relationships
Evidence and analysis	'The Manhunt'	‘One Flesh’
	Armitage’s speaker suggests a change in the relationship: Anaphora stresses the ending of passion: “After the first phase,/after passionate nights”	Similarly, in Jennings’s poem, the relationship has been destabilised: A vivid simile and alliteration imply chaos (“Tossed up like flotsam from a former passion”) The couple are “Lying apart now”
	Armitage uses metaphorical imagery to convey barriers in the relationship, such as a “frozen river” and a “fractured rudder”	Similarly, Jennings hints at a sense of isolation in the relationship: The third-person descriptions highlight this in lines like “Her eyes fixed on the shadows overhead”
	Both poets present the complexities of love with tender reflections on difficulties in relationships

Differences:

Topic sentence	While Armitage conveys a relationship attempting to bridge emotional distance, Jennings writes about a love that is fading
Evidence and analysis	'The Manhunt'	‘One Flesh’
	Armitage repeats the phrase “only then” to show an urgent need to regain intimacy: Indeed, the poem’s title implies a dedicated search	On the other hand, the relationship in Jennings’s poem is described as fragile, like a “thread” or a “feather”
	Armitage’s poem presents a steady and determined first-person speaker: “Then I widened the search,/traced the scarring back to its source”	Jennings’s poem, in contrast, is written about the speaker’s parents: The speaker says “They hardly ever touch”
	Armitage closes his poem on a hopeful note with the speaker’s enthusiastic and emphatic, “Then, and only then, did I come close.”	‘One Flesh’ ends with a rhetorical question and oxymoron: This suggests a lack of resolution for the estranged couple: “Whose fire from which I came, has now grown cold?”
	Armitage presents a hopeful poem about regaining lost love, while Jennings offers little hope for the marriage

Exam Tip

It is best to choose poems that specifically explore the theme in the essay question. Be as specific as you can when considering similarities and differences, but make sure you are comparing ideas, not techniques. For example, you could choose to compare the presentation of conflicted relationships in ‘The Manhunt’ and ‘One Flesh’. Alternatively, you might wish to explore the idea of deep, protective love in ‘The Manhunt’ and ‘Nettles’. What is important is that you view the poems thematically, with a clear emphasis on relationships. This will give you a better framework in which to write your response in the exam.

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The Manhunt (Edexcel GCSE English Literature)

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Author: Sam Evans