The Manhunt (Simon Armitage)

The Manhunt by Simon Armitage is a first-person narrative poem told from the perspective of a wife whose husband has returned home from war. The speaker describes the physical and emotional scars that her husband carries as a result of his experiences in battle. Through a series of metaphors, the speaker explores the process of healing and reconciliation as she searches for signs of her husband's inner pain and trauma. The poem portrays the deep emotional bond between the speaker and her husband, as they navigate the challenges of reconnecting after his return from war. You can read the poem below and find analysis further down the page.

The Manhunt by Simon Armitage

After the ­first phase,

after passionate nights and intimate days,

only then would he let me trace

the frozen river which ran through his face,

only then would he let me explore

the blown hinge of his lower jaw,

and handle and hold

the damaged, porcelain collar-bone,

and mind and attend

the fractured rudder of shoulder-blade,

and ­ finger and thumb

the parachute silk of his punctured lung.

Only then could I bind the struts

and climb the rungs of his broken ribs,

and feel the hurt

of his grazed heart.

Skirting along,

only then could I picture the scan,

the foetus of metal beneath his chest

where the bullet had ­ finally come to rest.

Then I widened the search,

traced the scarring back to its source

to a sweating, unexploded mine

buried deep in his mind, around which 

every nerve in his body had tightened and closed.

Then, and only then, did I come close.

Analysis

Themes:

War and Trauma: Armitage explores the theme of war and its lasting impact on individuals and relationships. The poem delves into the physical and emotional scars that soldiers carry as a result of their experiences in battle.

Healing and Reconciliation: "The Manhunt" examines the process of healing and reconciliation as the speaker searches for signs of her husband's inner pain and trauma. The poem highlights the importance of patience, understanding, and empathy in overcoming the effects of war on relationships.

Love and Devotion: The poem celebrates the deep emotional bond between the speaker and her husband, portraying their relationship as a source of strength and support in the face of adversity.

Communication and Connection: Armitage explores the theme of communication and connection within relationships, highlighting the importance of honest and open communication in overcoming the challenges of war and trauma.

Language and Imagery:

Armitage uses vivid language and imagery to convey the physical and emotional scars of war. Phrases such as "the damaged, porcelain collar bone" and "the foetus of metal" create powerful images that evoke the speaker's sense of shock and sadness at her husband's injuries.

Tone and Mood: 

The tone of the poem is tender and compassionate, with the speaker expressing empathy and understanding towards her husband's suffering. The mood is one of introspection and reflection, as the speaker searches for signs of her husband's inner pain and trauma.

Structure and Form: 

"The Manhunt" is structured as a series of couplets, with each couplet representing a different aspect of the speaker's emotional journey. This structured form allows Armitage to effectively convey the speaker's sense of progression as she searches for signs of her husband's trauma.

Metaphor and Symbolism: 

The poem employs metaphor and symbolism to convey the emotional impact of war on relationships. The image of the speaker "climbing the rungs of his broken ribs" serves as a powerful metaphor for the speaker's efforts to understand and empathize with her husband's pain.

Narrative Perspective:

The poem is narrated from the perspective of the wife, offering readers insight into her thoughts and emotions as she grapples with her husband's return from war. This perspective allows Armitage to explore the complexities of love, trauma, and healing within the context of a relationship.

Relevance to the Anthology:

"The Manhunt" provides students with an opportunity to explore the theme of relationships within the context of war and trauma. The poem invites readers to consider the emotional impact of conflict on individuals and relationships, highlighting the importance of empathy, understanding, and communication in overcoming the challenges of war.

Conclusion:

The Manhunt by Simon Armitage is a poignant exploration of the lasting impact of war on relationships, using vivid language and imagery to convey the physical and emotional scars that soldiers carry. Through the perspective of the wife, Armitage explores the process of healing and reconciliation as the couple navigates the challenges of reconnecting after war. The poem celebrates the power of love and empathy in overcoming the effects of trauma, inviting readers to contemplate the complexities of relationships within the context of the Edexcel Relationships Poetry Anthology.

You can find analysis of all the Edexcel Relationships Poetry Anthology Poems here.