TSS CAMELS for 'The Manhunt'

The poem is told from the viewpoint of a soldier’s wife, and describes his PTSD and its effect on their relationship. The title “The Manhunt” implies that the man himself is lost and must find his former self. 

The poem focuses on one couple and refrains from commenting on the wider impact war has on society as whole. Focusing on one individual’s memories and experiences makes the poem more personal and, coupled with it being told from a wife’s perspective, allows the author to portray the effects of war through a sympathetic and loving lens.

The soldier is portrayed as delicate and fragile; several phrases in the poem portray him as ‘broken’. For instance, the phrase “fractured rudder” – a rudder is needed to steer a ship, so it is as if he can’t ‘steer’ himself. The lack of political statements gives the poem a more intimate, personal feeling; ignoring all societal analysis & criticism and instead focusing on emotions.

Despite the fact that the actions described in the poem would clearly be very emotionally charged, there are very few abstract nouns for emotions. This could be in order to generalise the subject of the poem (the psychological effect of war) so it is potentially applicable to all current & former soldiers.

Structured as couplets which rhyme initially but falter as the poem progresses, mimicking the couple’s faltering relationship (a result of the trauma).

The poem utilises metaphors, comparing the soldier’s face to a “frozen river”, and his collar bone as “porcelain”. This is likely to emphasise the un-relatable nature of the soldier’s experience, thus necessitating the use of metaphors to relay his thoughts and experiences.

Some phrases in the poem have double meanings, such as “grazed heart” and “unexploded mine”. Both of these refer to physical objects, but also to the inner thoughts of the soldier. Using this visceral combination of adjectives and nouns emphasised his memories of the animalistic nature of war.