Conflict Between Past and Present Flashcards
How does Sheers show the relationship between past and present in Mametz Wood?
overview
In Mametz Wood by Owen Sheers, the theme of the conflict between the past and the present is explored through the imagery of the soldiers’ remains being unearthed. Sheers shows how the past, particularly the trauma of war, is never truly gone but continuously impacts the present. Through vivid descriptions and strong contrasts, Sheers highlights the way history is forced back to the surface, even after years of being buried.
“the wasted young, turning up under their plough blades”
“the wasted young, turning up under their plough blades”
The phrase “the wasted young” reflects the tragic loss of life during the war, while “turning up under their plough blades” connects the past with the present. The soldiers’ remains resurface as the farmers work the land, suggesting that the past is inescapable and continues to affect the present, even in mundane activities. The “plough blades” represent an everyday, peaceful task, yet they inadvertently bring the horrors of the past to the surface. This highlights the ongoing conflict between the peaceful present and the violent past. The tone here is mournful and reflective, as Sheers emphasises the futility of the soldiers’ deaths and the unavoidable presence of their memory in the land.
“A chit of bone, the china plate of a shoulder blade”
“A chit of bone, the china plate of a shoulder blade”
The image of a “chit of bone” and the “china plate of a shoulder blade” is striking. It suggests fragility and the remnants of a once-whole body, now broken and scattered. The “china plate” metaphor indicates the delicate and precious nature of the soldiers’ remains, showing how the past has been fragmented, but is still present in the form of physical remnants. The way these pieces are found and examined forces the present generation to confront the painful realities of the past. The tone is respectful and somber, as Sheers treats the remains with reverence, implying that even in death, these soldiers deserve dignity and remembrance.
“And even now the earth stands sentinel”
“And even now the earth stands sentinel”
Here, the earth is personified as a “sentinel,” guarding and remembering the past. This suggests that the land itself holds the memories of the soldiers who died. The phrase “even now” shows how the past is still present, actively remembered in the landscape. The earth is a constant reminder of the conflict between what has happened and what is happening now, as it “stands sentinel,” continuing to preserve the past, even as time moves forward. The tone is solemn and protective, evoking the idea that the earth, while neutral, serves as a permanent reminder of the soldiers’ sacrifice and the war they fought in.
“A broken mosaic of bone linked arm in arm”.
“A broken mosaic of bone linked arm in arm”. The image of “a broken mosaic of bone” suggests that the soldiers’ remains, though scattered, still form a larger, coherent picture of their sacrifice. “Linked arm in arm” implies a sense of unity and brotherhood, even in death. This illustrates the conflict between the past and present because, although these men have been dead for years, they remain connected and part of the present, still “linked” in memory. The soldiers are not entirely “gone” but continue to exist as part of a larger narrative. The tone is melancholic but also commemorative, reflecting the lasting impact of the soldiers’ collective sacrifice, even in death.
- “their jaws, those that have them, dropped open”
This quote reflects the silence of the soldiers, whose voices are now lost. The “dropped open” jaws suggest that they are no longer able to speak, but their presence remains in the land. This image contrasts the past, when the soldiers were alive and could sing or speak, with the present, where they are silent. The physical remains of the soldiers stand as mute witnesses to the conflict that has long passed but still impacts the present. The tone is eerie and unsettling, as it emphasises the soldiers’ inability to speak, adding to the sense of loss and absence. It also highlights the ongoing presence of their memory despite their physical silence.
“with this unearthing, slipped from their absent tongues,”
In the quote “with this unearthing, slipped from their absent tongues,” Sheers highlights the conflict between the past and present by showing how the soldiers’ memories are forcibly brought to light in the present moment. The verb “unearthing” suggests that the past, though buried for years, is being dragged into the present, and “absent tongues” emphasises the silence of the soldiers, whose voices are lost to time. However, the use of “slipped” implies that, despite their physical absence, their voices and memories subtly return when their remains are found, linking the past and present in an unsettling way. The tone is reflective and sombre, evoking a sense of loss and melancholy as Sheers suggests that even when something is buried, it can resurface, reminding us that the past is never truly gone but always lingers, impacting the present.
structure
The structure of Mametz Wood helps show the conflict between the past and present by using enjambment and vivid imagery. The poem’s flowing, continuous lines, without clear breaks, mirror how the past constantly resurfaces in the present, with the remains of the soldiers being unearthed over time. The poem’s shift from describing the physical remains to reflecting on the soldiers’ memories emphasizes how the past never truly leaves but keeps interrupting the present. The structure, which moves between the soldiers’ remains and nature’s role in preserving memory, highlights the ongoing tension between what has been buried and what is still alive in the present.
context
In Mametz Wood, the theme of conflict between the past and present is shown through the discovery of soldiers’ remains from World War I. The poem reflects how the trauma of the past, particularly the violence and loss of life, is still very much alive in the present. The soldiers, though long dead, are unearthed by farmers working the land, forcing the present generation to confront the horrors of the past. This creates a tension between moving forward in the present and being reminded of the past that continues to shape the landscape and collective memory.
conclusion
Through imagery, personification, and metaphor, Sheers explores how the past continues to haunt the present. The recurring theme of the earth and the land as a keeper of memory shows that, no matter how much time passes, the past is always present, sometimes resurfacing in unexpected ways. The tone throughout the poem is reflective, mournful, and somber, underscoring the sense that, although the war is over, its memory and its impact are still with us, especially in the land and in the physical remains of the soldiers.
