Analysing how Armitage presents the effects of war in 'The Manhunt'
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can analyse how Armitage presents the harrowing effects of war.
Key learning points
- Armitage uses figurative language to illustrate the severity of the soldier’s injuries - both physical and mental.
- Armitage’s use of figurative language portrays the soldier as fragile and delicate, showing his vulnerability.
- The use of rhyming couplets arguably reflect the unified approach the couple are taking to the soldier’s recovery.
- Armitage's repetition could illustrate the constant and repeated support and care the wife demonstrates for her husband.
- Armitage’s use of enjambment could reflect the couple’s continuous journey or rehabilitation and reconnection.
Keywords
Harrowing - very distressing and/or traumatising
Vulnerable - able to be easily physically or mentally hurt
PTSD - a mental illness resulting from trauma, in which the patient might experience flashbacks, depression, anxiety or hallucinations
Rhyming couplet - a pair of successive lines of verse, rhyming and typically of the same length
Enjambment - the continuation of a sentence beyond the end of a line, stanza or couplet
Common misconception
Students think that the entire poem is in rhyming couplets.
Only the beginning of the poem is written in rhyming couplets. The couplets fade to pararhymes and then to non-rhyming couplets by the end of the poem, possibly to reflect the soldier's pain fading and the healing process.
Teacher tip
The soldier who inspired 'The Manhunt' has spoken about his experiences in a video.
Equipment
You will need access to a copy of the Eduqas poetry anthology for this lesson.
Content guidance
Depiction or discussion of violence or suffering
Depiction or discussion of mental health issues
Supervision
Adult supervision required
Licence
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1. is language that is meaningful, but not literally true.
Q2.Rhyming couplets are...
Q3.The word 'vulnerable' means...
Q4.What is a metaphor?
Q5.Who is the speaker in 'The Manhunt'?
Q6.The injuries the soldier has in 'The Manhunt' are both and psychological.
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.If you are able to be easily physically or mentally hurt you are...
Q2.What kind of figurative language does Armitage use most frequently in 'The Manhunt'?
Q3.Armitage’s use of __________ in 'The Manhunt' could reflect the couple’s continuous journey or rehabilitation and re-connection.
Q4.In 'The Manhunt', what does Armitage compare the bullet to?
Q5.Armitage compares the soldier’s PTSD to a in 'The Manhunt'.
Q6.Armitage repeats the word frequently throughout 'The Manhunt' to reflect the wife's patience and resilience.
To help you plan your 10 English lesson on: Analysing how Armitage presents the effects of war in 'The Manhunt', download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 10 English lesson on: Analysing how Armitage presents the effects of war in 'The Manhunt', download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs.
The starter quiz will activate and check your pupils' prior knowledge, with versions available both with and without answers in PDF format.
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The assessment exit quiz will test your pupils' understanding of the key learning points.
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Explore more key stage 4 English lessons from the Poetry anthology (Assessment until summer 2026) unit, dive into the full secondary English curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.