The Gun by Vicki Feaver Revision Notes for Edexcel A-Level English Literature

The Gun by Vicki Feaver

Analysis of the Title

The title "The Gun" immediately focuses attention on the central object of the poem. It suggests themes of power, danger, and transformation. The gun, as an object, represents a catalyst for change within the domestic space and the relationships within it.

Structure and Form

Form, Metre, and Rhyme

The poem is written in free verse, consisting of six stanzas of varying lengths.
There is no consistent rhyme scheme or metre, reflecting the natural flow of the speaker's thoughts.
The use of free verse allows for flexibility in expressing the shifting dynamics and emotions associated with the introduction of the gun into the household.

Speaker

The speaker is an unnamed individual who observes the changes brought about by the introduction of a gun into their home.
The speaker's tone evolves from one of initial discomfort and observation to more involved and excited participation, mirroring the changing relationship with the gun and its implications.

Setting

The setting is primarily domestic, centred around the house and the kitchen.
The poem also extends to the garden, where initial practice with the gun takes place.
The mundane and familiar settings contrast sharply with the presence of the gun, highlighting the disruption it causes.

Poetic Devices

Imagery

The poem uses vivid and detailed imagery to convey the physical presence and impact of the gun.
For example, "the long metal barrel / casting a grey shadow / on the green-checked cloth" creates a visual contrast between the gun and the domestic setting.

Juxtaposition

Juxtaposition is used to contrast the domestic environment with the violence and power associated with the gun.
The kitchen, a place of warmth and safety, is disrupted by the presence of the gun, which casts a shadow over it.

Alliteration and Consonance

The poem employs alliteration and consonance to enhance its rhythmic quality and emphasise certain sounds.
Examples include "grainy polished wood stock" and "fur and feathers."

Simile

Similes are used to draw comparisons that deepen the reader's understanding of the emotions and transformations occurring.
For instance, "your eyes gleam / like when sex was fresh" likens the excitement brought by the gun to the thrill of new sexual experiences.

Irony

The poem contains elements of irony, particularly in how the gun, an instrument of death, brings a new sense of vitality and excitement to the household.
This irony underscores the complex relationship between power, violence, and life.

Enjambment

Enjambment is used to create a sense of continuity and urgency, reflecting the ongoing changes and the speaker's evolving perspective.

For example, "You lay it on the kitchen table, / stretched out like something dead / itself."

Key Themes

The Transformative Power of Violence

The poem explores how the introduction of a gun transforms the atmosphere of the home and the dynamics between the individuals within it.

The gun's presence brings a sense of power and excitement, as seen in the lines: "There's a spring / in your step; your eyes gleam / like when sex was fresh."

The excitement and newfound energy reflect how power and violence can invigorate and alter relationships and spaces.

The Intrusion of Danger into Domesticity

The gun disrupts the safety and comfort of the domestic space, bringing an element of danger and unpredictability.
This is illustrated by the line: "Bringing a gun into a house / changes it."
The initial unease and later acceptance highlight the complex emotions associated with the intrusion of violence into everyday life.

The Allure and Addiction of Power

The poem suggests that power, once introduced, can become addictive and alluring, even to those initially hesitant.

The speaker notes the partner's transformation: "your hands reek of gun oil / and entrails. You trample / fur and feathers."

This transformation reflects the seductive nature of power and its ability to change individuals.

The Connection Between Life and Death

The poem draws connections between the acts of hunting and killing and the sense of vitality and life it brings to the household.
The final lines evoke this theme powerfully: "as if the King of Death / had arrived to feast, stalking / out of the winter woods, / his black mouth / sprouting golden crocuses."
This imagery suggests that life and death are intertwined, with the presence of one intensifying the experience of the other.

Line by Line Analysis

Lines 1-9

Bringing a gun into a house

changes it.

You lay it on the kitchen table,

stretched out like something dead

itself: the grainy polished wood stock

jutting over the edge,

the long metal barrel

casting a grey shadow

on the green-checked cloth.

"Bringing a gun into a house / changes it."

The opening line sets the stage for the poem, asserting that the presence of a gun fundamentally alters the home.
The statement is direct and powerful, emphasising the significant impact of the gun.

"You lay it on the kitchen table, / stretched out like something dead / itself:"

The gun is personified as something dead, highlighting its association with death and violence.
This imagery creates a stark contrast with the domestic setting of the kitchen.

"the grainy polished wood stock / jutting over the edge,"

The detailed description of the gun emphasises its physical presence and craftsmanship.
The "jutting" stock suggests an intrusion into the familiar space.

"the long metal barrel / casting a grey shadow / on the green-checked cloth."

The imagery of the shadow cast by the barrel symbolises the ominous presence of the gun.
The green-checked cloth, representing domesticity, is overshadowed by the gun, highlighting the disruption it causes.

Lines 10-15

At first it's just practice:

perforating tins

dangling on orange string

from trees in the garden.

Then a rabbit shot

clean through the head.

"At first it's just practice:"

The speaker notes the initial harmless use of the gun, indicating a gradual escalation in its use.

"perforating tins / dangling on orange string / from trees in the garden."

The imagery of shooting at tin cans suggests a controlled and safe environment.
This practice serves as a precursor to more serious and deadly uses.

"Then a rabbit shot / clean through the head."

The shift from shooting tins to killing a rabbit marks a significant escalation.
The phrase "clean through the head" suggests precision but also a lack of sentimentality.

Lines 16-18

Soon the fridge fills with creatures

that have run and flown.

Your hands reek of gun oil.

"Soon the fridge fills with creatures / that have run and flown."

The accumulation of dead animals in the fridge indicates the partner's growing proficiency and enthusiasm for hunting.
The reference to "creatures that have run and flown" emphasises the loss of life and the transformation from living beings to food.

"Your hands reek of gun oil."

The smell of gun oil symbolises the partner's deepening involvement with the gun.
This imagery evokes a sense of permanence and immersion in the act of hunting.

Lines 19-22

And entrails. You trample

fur and feathers. There's a spring

in your step; your eyes gleam

like when sex was fresh.

"And entrails. You trample / fur and feathers."

The imagery of entrails, fur, and feathers conveys the mess and violence associated with hunting.
The partner's casual trampling suggests a desensitisation to the violence.

"There's a spring / in your step; your eyes gleam / like when sex was fresh."

The partner's renewed energy and excitement are likened to the thrill of new sexual experiences.
This simile highlights the intoxicating and addictive nature of power and violence.

The Gun by Vicki Feaver (Edexcel A-Level English Literature): Revision Notes