"Suddenly he awoke and was running - raw"

• Language

  • The adverb “suddenly” disrupts pace and mirrors the disorientation and panic of war.
  • The metaphor “raw” suggests vulnerability—physically (exposed) and emotionally (traumatised), dehumanising the soldier.
  • Monosyllabic, abrupt phrasing reflects breathless urgency.
• Form

  • In media res opening – throws reader straight into action, reflecting how soldiers are thrust into violence without preparation.
  • Free verse matches the unpredictable nature of battle and mental chaos.
• Structure

  • Positioned at the start to emphasise immediacy and shock.
  • Lack of exposition highlights the disjointed reality of a soldier’s experience.
• Writers Intent

  • Hughes wants to strip away heroic myths of war and instead show it as a terrifying, instinctual experience.
  • He explores the psychological trauma inflicted by conflict.