Memory and Remembrance Flashcards
In what ways does Sheers explore the theme of remembrance in Mametz Wood?
overview
Mametz Wood explores how the memory of fallen soldiers lives on through the land. Sheers reflects on how the battlefield continues to reveal the past, showing that history cannot be buried. The poem focuses on the idea that the earth itself remembers the soldiers’ sacrifice and brings their stories back to the surface. Through powerful imagery and personification, Sheers shows that remembrance is not just emotional but physical – memory lives on in the land, waiting to be uncovered and honoured.
“The wasted young, turning up under their plough blades”
This line refers to the remains of young soldiers who died in the war, and “wasted” highlights the tragedy of their lives being cut short. The phrase “turning up under their plough blades” indicates that their bodies are unearthed by farmers as they tend to the land. This suggests that the land holds the memories of the soldiers, continuously revealing their remains, symbolising how the past cannot be buried and will inevitably resurface. The tone is sorrowful and regretful, emphasising the senselessness of the soldiers’ deaths. The structure of the line, with its enjambment, mirrors the continuous, recurring nature of the memory of these fallen soldiers.
“A chit of bone, the china plate of a shoulder blade”
“A chit of bone, the china plate of a shoulder blade”
Here, Sheers describes the bones of the soldiers as delicate objects. “A chit of bone” implies something small and insignificant, while comparing the shoulder blade to “the china plate” suggests fragility. The bones are presented with reverence, showing that, even in death, the soldiers’ remains are precious and deserving of respect, signifying the importance of remembering their sacrifice. The tone is respectful and mournful, treating the soldiers’ remains with care. The structure, using similes like “china plate” and “chit of bone,” underscores the fragility and preciousness of life, even after death.
“And even now the earth stands sentinel”
“And even now the earth stands sentinel”
The earth is personified as a “sentinel,” a guard or protector, suggesting that it actively watches over the memory of the soldiers. The idea that the earth “stands sentinel” implies that the land preserves and protects the memory of the fallen soldiers, ensuring that they are not forgotten. This reinforces the idea that memory is embedded in the landscape, which will continue to watch over it. The tone is solemn and respectful, as the earth takes on a protective, almost sacred role. The simple structure of the line, with the earth standing watch, gives a sense of permanence to the soldiers’ memory, suggesting that it is continually guarded and preserved.
“A broken mosaic of bone linked arm in arm”
“A broken mosaic of bone linked arm in arm”
This line uses the metaphor of a “broken mosaic” to describe the scattered remains of the soldiers, suggesting that, although they are fragmented, they are still part of a larger whole. The “linked arm in arm” imagery emphasizes solidarity and unity, implying that, even in death, the soldiers are connected to one another. This reinforces the idea of collective memory and sacrifice, where each individual life is part of a shared history. The tone is reflective, with a sense of reverence for the unity and sacrifice of the soldiers. The structure of the line emphasizes the idea of fragmentation (“broken mosaic”) alongside unity (“linked arm in arm”), symbolizing the connection between the soldiers even after death.
“Their skeletons paused mid dance-macabre”
“Their skeletons paused mid dance-macabre”
This powerful image suggests that the soldiers’ remains are frozen in an eternal dance of death, implying that they are stuck in a macabre, timeless moment. The “dance-macabre” is a medieval symbol of death, often depicting skeletons dancing, which reflects the horrific, unending nature of the soldiers’ deaths. It shows that even in death, their memories are preserved in a grotesque yet powerful image.
The tone is grim and haunting, emphasizing the tragic and continuous nature of death. The line structure, with the “pause” in the dance, intensifies the sense of time being frozen, adding to the horror of the soldiers’ fate.
“slipped from their absent tongues.”
In Mametz Wood, the theme of remembrance is powerfully explored through the metaphor “slipped from their absent tongues.” This line suggests that, even in death, the soldiers’ voices are finally being heard. The verb “slipped” implies something gentle and unplanned, symbolising how their stories and memories are quietly emerging after being buried for so long. The phrase “absent tongues” personifies the dead, giving them a voice despite their silence, and highlights the tragic loss of identity. This use of personification and metaphor reinforces the idea that memory survives beyond death. The line also creates a contrast – a kind of juxtaposition – between the silence of death and the idea of music or speech, which emphasises the emotional power of remembrance. Structurally, placing this image at the end of the poem gives it a sense of closure, as if the memory of the soldiers has finally been released. The tone is reverent and sorrowful, reminding the reader that the dead are not forgotten – their voices live on through those who remember them.
strucutre
The structure of Mametz Wood reflects the slow, painful process of remembering. Sheers uses free verse and enjambment to mirror how memory resurfaces gradually, like the soldiers’ remains being uncovered. The irregular line lengths reflect the fragmented nature of memory and trauma. As the poem progresses, the focus shifts—from the land to the bones, then to the imagined voices of the dead—showing how remembrance builds over time. The final stanza, where “notes… slipped from their absent tongues”, gives the dead a voice again, acting as a form of closure. This structural journey from silence to voice reinforces the poem’s central message: that memory endures, and the past will not stay buried.
context
Mametz Wood is based on a real WWI battle in 1916, where many young Welsh soldiers died. Owen Sheers wrote the poem to honour them, as their sacrifice was often forgotten in history. The poem acts as a form of remembrance, giving a voice to the soldiers who couldn’t speak for themselves. Sheers shows how the land holds their memory, with bones still being found years later, proving that the past can never fully stay buried. Through this, he ensures their stories are remembered and respected.
conclusion
In conclusion, Mametz Wood powerfully conveys the theme of remembrance, illustrating how the memory of those who died in war cannot be erased. Through the vivid imagery of bones, unearthed remains, and the earth standing sentinel, Sheers shows that the land itself holds the memories of the soldiers, constantly bringing their sacrifice to the surface. The soldiers’ voices, once silenced by death, are revived through the act of remembrance. The poem ultimately emphasizes that, though the soldiers are physically gone, their memory lives on, preserved in the landscape and the stories that resurface, reminding us of the importance of honoring and remembering those who sacrificed their lives.
