Bayonet Charge

• "The patriotic tear that has brimmed is his eye, sweating like molten from the centre of his chest"


  "tear" could be a result of physical pain, exertion or the psychological turmoil

  past tense reveals he once believed in the propaganda but he now understands its all a lie

  simile shows how the solider is losing his patriotism and love for his country and has been dehumanised
• "in what cold clockwork of the stars and the nations was the hand pointing that second"


  war is because of the hostilities between nations, he is nothing more than a tool of war as war can't happen without soldiers. he is being exploited by larger forces

  "clockwork" highlights how the soldiers are objectified and are replaceable

  time is a symbol and and the soldier is conscious of his limited time

  "cold" emphasises the soldier's insignificance and implies people in power don't care about individuals
• poems to compare:

  charge of the light brigade

  remains

  war photographer