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Lesson 8 of 36
  • Year 10
  • Eduqas

Developing interpretations of ‘The Manhunt’ with Simon Armitage

I can use Simon Armitage’s comments to develop my interpretations of the poem ‘The Manhunt’.

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Lesson 8 of 36
New
New
  • Year 10
  • Eduqas

Developing interpretations of ‘The Manhunt’ with Simon Armitage

I can use Simon Armitage’s comments to develop my interpretations of the poem ‘The Manhunt’.

Download all resources
Share activities with pupils

These resources will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.

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These resources were created for remote use during the pandemic and are not designed for classroom teaching.

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Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. Armitage highlights the power of writing from a personal perspective.
  2. Armitage believes art should provoke specific emotions.
  3. The structure and form of ‘The Manhunt’ reflect its content.
  4. Armitage identifies the “dark irony” of the foetus metaphor as the most significant part of the poem.
  5. Armitage’s ideas can help develop interpretations of the poem.

Keywords

  • Trauma - the emotional response to a deeply distressing or disturbing experience

  • Sentimental - expressing or influenced by tender feelings or emotions, often excessively

  • Repercussion - the effect or consequence of an action, event, or decision

  • Dispassionate - showing no strong feeling or emotion; detached and impartial

Common misconception

Most poems are deeply personal or emotional and written spontaneously from the heart.

Armitage suggests that writing poetry about traumatic events can be a methodical process. He states that keeping some emotional distance can be helpful.


To help you plan your year 10 English lesson on: Developing interpretations of ‘The Manhunt’ with Simon Armitage, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...

Consider using discussion as a way to respond to the videos.
Teacher tip

Equipment

You will need access to a copy of the Eduqas poetry anthology for this lesson. The poem is also available in the additional materials.

Content guidance

  • Depiction or discussion of violence or suffering
  • Depiction or discussion of mental health issues

Supervision

Adult supervision required

Licence

This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2025), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).

Lesson video

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Prior knowledge starter quiz

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6 Questions

Q1.
Is the statement true or false? The poem 'The Manhunt' appears in a collection of poetry written by Simon Armitage, called 'The Lost Dead'.

Correct Answer: false, f, False, F

Q2.
Rhyming couplets are...

Correct answer: two lines of poetry with the same meter and a rhyme at the end of each line.
a single line of poetry with a rhyme in the middle.
two lines of poetry with different meters but the same rhyme.
a group of four lines with alternating rhymes.

Q3.
Who is the speaker in Simon Armitage's poem 'The Manhunt'?

A soldier reflecting on his experience.
Correct answer: The soldier's wife describing his condition after returning from war.
A doctor treating the soldier's wounds.
A fellow soldier recounting the battle.

Q4.
In 'The Manhunt', what does Armitage compare the bullet to?

Correct answer: "porcelain"
"parachute"
"foetus"

Q5.
Which of the following statements are true of the soldier that was interviewed for 'The Not Dead' and described in the poem 'The Manhunt'?

He was dishonourably discharged from service.
Correct answer: He was shot in the neck whilst serving in the Balkans.
Correct answer: He suffered from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder.
He served as part of the Air Force in the Balkans.

Q6.
In 'The Manhunt,' what word does Armitage use to describe the 'river which ran through his face'.

Correct answer: frozen
frowning
fleeting
flowing

Assessment exit quiz

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6 Questions

Q1.
Why did Simon Armitage use Laura’s perspective in 'The Manhunt'?

To highlight the physical pain soldiers feel during war.
Correct answer: To show how war impacts domestic life and relationships.
To focus on the soldier’s emotions exclusively.
To present the soldier's viewpoint in a more direct way.

Q2.
Is this statement true or false? Armitage explains that his poetry is meant to reflect “hard truths” and not become overly sentimental.

Correct Answer: true, t, True, T

Q3.
According to Armitage, what is the significance of the irregular rhyme scheme in 'The Manhunt'?

It mirrors the soldier’s chaotic thoughts.
Correct answer: It reflects the effort of two people trying to reconnect.
It represents the soldier’s struggle to express emotions.
It highlights the formal structure of the poem.

Q4.
Which word would complete this statement: Armitage states that it is important to create ' ' that provokes a specific emotion.

poetry
writing
Correct answer: art
work

Q5.
Why does Simon Armitage use couplets in 'The Manhunt'?

Correct answer: To reflect the relationship between two people.
To show the chaotic nature of war.
To emphasise the soldier's individual experience.
To create a rigid structure that contrasts with the content.

Q6.
What does Simon Armitage identify as the most significant part of 'The Manhunt' and why does he consider it “deeply ironic”?

The medical scan imagery to highlight the physical effects of trauma.
The reference to the soldier’s scars, symbolising the physical damage of war.
Correct answer: The metaphor 'foetus', representing the bullet growing inside him.
The description of the couple's struggle to reconnect after the trauma.

Additional material

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