This document covers the poem: 'The Gun' from the Poems of the Decade Poetry. I studied this poem for my A Level, Edexcel English Literature Exam as part of the poetry module. By constructing these summarises and notes these provided me with ideas and themes which I could for my essays and thesis. ...
• Object of chaos and disruption
• Induces fear and anxieties
• Assertion of superiority and power
• Lack of control
• Disturbance and chaos
• By having ‘The’ suggests that this is just one weapon. Downplays the immense destruction this
can cause
• The softens the negative connotations of the gun, linking to the second part of the poem in the
fact that this weapon bought her and her partner together
• Humans responsibility for death that is caused by the Gun
• Man, title for traditional indications of power
Structure:
• Lack of rhyme schemes, uses of caesuras and enjambment creates uncertainty within the poem.
Equates the disorder that is caused as a result of the gun
• Layout of stanzas in the poem is notable, varying between a typical six to seven-line length all
the way to single lines that are extremely attention-grabbing. Single line ‘A gun brings a house
alive’ is before the last stanza and because of the placement it forces the reader to question the
use of guns and violent descriptions being shared. Reference to change in opening two lines
supported by changing line length and stanza length throughout the poem, with the variance
showing the action and changes that occur as a result of guns.
• Enjambment used in first two lines, with the split of the line between ‘house’ and ‘changes’
opens the poem with an unnatural break. Visually and audibly demonstrates change and
reinforces the idea of the unnatural by breaking the line in a strange way. Challenging way in
which the line is presented emphasises the bold statement and helps a reader to appreciate the
serious tone of the poem.
• Line length is irregular. Initial introduction of the weapon un ‘jutting over the edge’ highlighting
the doubt and uncertainty created by the weapon. Continues throughout the poem forcing the
reader to question the use of such a destructive object
• ‘Grainy polished wood stock’ hard constant plosive sound highlighting the danger and power
• Semantic field of death and gun works simultaneously with specific sounds to reinforce
destructive imagery and highlight power of guns. Words like ‘reek’, ‘entrails’, ‘dangling’ and
‘dead’ all contribute to the idea of death which permeates the poem. Examples of juxtaposition
with ideas of ‘clean’ to describe the shot rabbit, or ‘spring’ to describe the movement of an
individual. Positive and arguably ‘innocent’ ideas act as a sharp contrast to death being
described with context representing how destructive a gun is.
• Volta in the poem. Change in attitudes towards the gun in it ‘brings a house alive’ suggesting the
relationship that has been bought back together as a result of the use of this weaponry. Changes
from the opening line, and being only a line stands out to her persona.
, • Punctuation shapes rhythm of the poem as it creates the sound of shooting and bullets, and the
changes in the situation as a result of using guns. Use of colons through ‘the cooking: jointing’ in
the final stanza, acts as a strong caesura and ‘jars’ the poems flow and rhythm which suggests
the unnatural impact that guns and killing has on the world. Demonstrates Nervousness and
apprehension with the narrator not convinced about specific ideas and scenes they are
describing.
• Visually on poem shorter line in ‘black mouth’. Persona questioning the decision and violent
actions which they have committed towards the vulnerable creature. Fear over their future as a
result of the sins they have committed.
Language:
• The poem begins with the short sentence ‘bringing a gun into a house/ changes it’ with the
enjambement amplifying long lasting impact of the immoral an apprehensive tone that’s
created. Change of atmosphere is evoked by bringing the weapon into the house. Common
noun ‘house’ connotes comfort and reassurance, yet the dynamic verb ‘bringing’ reflect the
disruption and chaos that is bought to these feelings.
• Feaver then use ‘You lay it on...’ creates a concerning and threatening tone amplifying
everyone's built in ability to use the gun to cause harm. Second person personal pronoun ‘you’.
Built in ability that anybody has the potential to use the gun. Highlights the choices that we have
as to whether to harm life or improve the quality of the lives of others.
• Feavers use of the simile ‘stretched out like something dead’ is ironic. Personifies the gun
perhaps suggesting the fear that is coming from an inanimate object. The dynamic verb
‘stretched’ connotes both force and aggression. Therefore, this becomes representative of the
growing fears within the house towards the gun.
• Short and sudden sounds create the concept of destruction. ‘Grainy polished wood stock’ is
notable for use of hard consonant, plosive sounds. A reader finds this effective when reading
aloud as it removes softer feelings and connotations that otherwise create empathy which
continuation of harsh sounds representing damage and power.
• ‘Jutting over the edge’. The dynamic verb ‘jutting’ emphasises the destruction and disruption
that is caused by the weapon. Highlights the guns superiority in the household in the power it
has to cause devastation. The ‘long metal barrel/ casting a grey shadow. On the grey-checked
cloth’ suggests the destruction and disruption to the domesticated and homelife. The adjective
‘grey’ epitomizes the fear and anxieties of the persona of the lack of control of the gun.
• ‘At first it’s just practice’ in the context places immediately giving a pessimistic tone and sense of
apprehension. The almost sinister colon placed the weight of the phrase, and would assume
that death is inevitable.
• Asyndetic list ‘perforating tins, dangling on orange string/ from trees in the garden’. Naturalistic
imagery highlights the destruction of the gun to the environment surroundings. The dynamic
verb ‘dangling’ creates this idea of precariousness and balance. Compounded by the natural
imagery of the ‘trees’ perhaps becoming symbol of the growth of this new corruption and
danger within society. Although, equally it could represent the manmade threat to nature
resulting from the weapons and dominionship we assert over others and the environment
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