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EDEXCEL ENGLISH LITERATURE- The Gun notes - POD
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Notes created by an A-level English Literature private tutor + A* student. All topic notes for The Gun (poems of the decade) Edexcel English Literature A-level
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DANIELLA SPOTOjeudi 3 mars 2022
The Gun - Vicki Feaver
Structure
Free verse-mirrors the corrupting nature of the gun, dramatic monologue- lines are all
uniform length which contrasts to the chaos the gun causes
Cyclical structure, the poem ends with them in the kitchen, the domestic hub and the
centre of life (irony) now they are in the kitchen for other juxtaposing reasons.
Enjambment creates a sense of movement, constant change in the house- mirrors the
movement towards corruption. Enjambment in the rst line foreshadows the line that will
be crossed physically and metaphorically. The disrupted lines create an angular feel and
vivid images creating a sense of danger.
Key ideas/themes
Combination of the everyday and the mythic explores the tensions between life and
death, the domestic and sexual roles of women and links between sexuality and violence.
As it is written in 2nd person there is the idea of compliance towards her partner.
The poem represents the hold guns have over modern society, we create objects that
produce death rather than pro-longing life- modern relationships need ‘the gun’s bring it
alone again- therefore it could be said that we as a society are distancing ourselves from
each other.
Key quotes
‘Theres a spring in your step, your eyes gleam, like when sex was fresh’
‘spring’ hints at the theme of addiction/ sex and hunting on surface level seem to be
entirely di erent however both are primal activities and give a similar thrill- con ict between
violence and sexuality- both result in pleasure. ‘Gleam’ is an animalistic adjective
reinforcing the primal nature of both sex and hunting and moreover how ‘The Gun’ is
needed in modern relationships to restore them./ ‘sex’ has connotations of the creation
of life, emphasising the tensions between life and death- symbolic of their relationship, his
love for her has been replaced. To be more in touch with their primitive side makes them
feel more alive.
‘Slicing, stirring and tasting/.. stalking’
The domestic verbs contrast the intentions and actions of the couple/ ‘stalking’ -
animalistic, sibilance mimics the hissing of a snake- reminder of the original sin, Eve
tempted Adam to eat from the garden as a result of being persuaded by the snake, snake=
gun, the parallels between the two create a sinister tone.
Mirrors ancient pagan cultures where hunting was a way of life and survival, they are
living animalistic lives. Guns pursue life (predator and prey imagery)
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