The Gun

Question 1

How does ‘The Gun’ present transformations?

Answer 1

• The gun which her husband brought into the home has changed the atmosphere of the household
• It transgresses the boundary of safety and domesticity, before escalating the destruction which ensues.
• Despite the gun bringing destruction, it makes her feel more alive - As the death toll increases, so does the intensity of their relationship
• They engage in a shared activity which has bring power and excitement into the relationship.

Question 2

Summarise ‘The Gun’.

Answer 2

• It is a poem that explores the sinister, transformative, and intoxicating power of violence through the metaphor of a gun introduced into a domestic household.

Question 3

What poetic form is used in ‘The Gun’?

Answer 3

• Dramatic monologue
• Free verse