Nature and the Passage of Time Flashcards
How does Sheers use nature to reflect on the past in Mametz Wood?
overview
In Mametz Wood, Owen Sheers uses nature and the passing of time to explore the theme of memory, loss, and the lasting impact of war. Through vivid imagery and personification, Sheers shows how nature becomes a witness to the soldiers’ sacrifices and how the land, over time, preserves and reflects the consequences of war.
“For years afterwards the farmers found them – the wasted young, turning up under their plough blades”
“For years afterwards the farmers found them – the wasted young, turning up under their plough blades”
The phrase “for years afterwards” immediately establishes the passage of time. It suggests that long after the war, the soldiers’ remains continue to surface, showing that the memory of their sacrifice is inescapable. The word “wasted” highlights the tragic loss of young lives cut short, and the image of their remains “turning up under their plough blades” suggests that nature itself has taken over the site of the battlefield, but even the earth cannot hide the past. The soldiers’ remains are unearthed during everyday tasks, linking the soldiers’ death to the ongoing passage of time. The land, while continuing to serve its practical function, also serves as a constant reminder of the past. The tone here is both mournful and reflective. The phrase “wasted young” adds to the sorrowful mood, emphasizing the futility of the young lives lost. The structure, with the pause after “found them,” draws attention to the slow, almost inevitable resurfacing of the past.
“A chit of bone, the china plate of a shoulder blade”
“A chit of bone, the china plate of a shoulder blade”
The soldiers’ remains are described in delicate, almost sacred terms: “a chit of bone” and “china plate.” These metaphors convey both fragility and permanence. The “china plate” of the shoulder blade suggests a sense of preciousness, as if the soldiers’ bones are objects to be cherished and remembered. The “chit of bone” reinforces the idea of something small and insignificant, yet it still carries historical weight, symbolizing how the memory of these soldiers, even in fragmentary form, persists. The use of “china” also brings to mind something that is both delicate and valuable, which contrasts with the violence of war and the idea that these soldiers were shattered. The tone here is reverent and solemn. The delicate imagery of bone and china implies respect for the soldiers’ remains and highlights the importance of remembering them. The line structure is simple, but the weight of the metaphors adds complexity, encouraging the reader to think about how the past is physically and emotionally preserved over time.
“And even now the earth stands sentinel”
“And even now the earth stands sentinel”
Personifying the earth as a “sentinel” is a powerful way to depict the land as a protector of memory. The earth is described as standing guard, reminding us that nature itself keeps watch over the past. The idea that the earth “stands sentinel” suggests that time does not erase the past but rather holds it, preserving it for future generations. The earth’s role is to keep the memory of these soldiers alive, ensuring that they are not forgotten.
The tone here is reverent and protective. There is a sense of permanence in the image of the earth as a sentinel. The structure of the line is simple, yet it packs a heavy emotional punch, showing how nature, despite the passing of time, remains steadfast in its duty to preserve the past.
“Like a wound working a foreign body to the surface of the skin.”
“Like a wound working a foreign body to the surface of the skin.”
This metaphor compares the earth’s act of remembering to a wound “working a foreign body to the surface.” The earth, like a wound healing, brings up the remnants of the soldiers to the surface. This powerful image suggests that the memory of the soldiers cannot be contained; it will always resurface, no matter how much time passes. The land, despite efforts to move on, forces the past back into the present, making the soldiers’ sacrifice a continuous part of history. The tone is unsettling and painful, as it compares the resurfacing of memory to the physical process of healing a wound. The imagery of “foreign body” suggests that the soldiers’ remains are alien, out of place in the natural order, which echoes the idea that the trauma of war never truly heals.
“A broken mosaic of bone linked arm in arm”
“A broken mosaic of bone linked arm in arm”
This metaphor compares the soldiers’ remains to a “broken mosaic,” implying that, though fragmented, the soldiers’ sacrifices form part of a larger whole. The image of “linked arm in arm” suggests unity and camaraderie, even in death, which ties into the theme of memory. The soldiers’ bodies, though broken, remain connected to one another through their shared sacrifice. The passing of time has not erased their bond; instead, their remains form a permanent reminder of their unity and their contribution. The tone here is solemn and reflective. The idea of a “broken mosaic” suggests that, even in death, the soldiers’ lives are part of something bigger. The structure of the line, with “linked arm in arm,” emphasises the bond between the soldiers, highlighting how their memory remains unified despite the passage of time.
“Their skeletons paused mid dance-macabre”
“Their skeletons paused mid dance-macabre”
The image of the soldiers’ skeletons “paused mid dance-macabre” suggests that their death is not just a tragic event but a performance that continues beyond the moment of death. A “dance-macabre” is an artistic representation of death, often showing death as an inevitable, ongoing process. The soldiers’ remains, “paused” in this dance, suggest that time has stopped, but the memory of their sacrifice continues to move forward. Their deaths, though in the past, are frozen in time and yet constantly referenced, as if their sacrifice is part of a larger, ongoing story. The tone here is somber but also a little eerie. The image of the “dance-macabre” brings a sense of death’s permanence and inevitability, while the idea of the skeletons “paused” suggests a moment frozen in time. The structure of the line creates a haunting image, conveying how death, even after many years, remains part of the living memory.
structure
the structure of Mametz Wood helps show how time keeps moving forward while nature keeps bringing the past back. The poem flows with enjambment, making it feel like time is endless and keeps going without stopping. The pauses in the middle of lines (caesura) give space for the reader to think about the past and how nature slowly reveals the soldiers’ remains. The short stanzas focus on important moments, while repeating ideas, like the soldiers’ bones being uncovered, show how time and nature work in cycles, always bringing the past back up. The shift between the present and the past shows that time isn’t just one straight line, but something that loops back, with nature remembering what happened. This structure makes it clear that, even though the past seems buried, it’s always part of the present through the land.
context
In Mametz Wood, Owen Sheers explores the relationship between nature and the passage of time to show how the land preserves the memory of soldiers who died in World War I. Despite the years that have passed, the soldiers’ remains continue to resurface through farming, highlighting the idea that the past cannot be erased. Nature, particularly the earth, becomes a silent witness to the events of the war, keeping the soldiers’ sacrifice alive long after their deaths. The land, though healing over time, retains fragments of the past, serving as a constant reminder of the tragedy. The poem suggests that time may pass, but nature ensures the memory of the fallen remains embedded in the earth.
conclusion
In Mametz Wood, Owen Sheers uses nature and the passage of time to emphasize the permanence of memory. The land, in its constant cycle of growth and decay, serves as a living reminder of the past. Through powerful metaphors and personification, Sheers conveys the idea that time cannot erase the soldiers’ sacrifices. Instead, their memory is preserved in the earth itself, which continues to reveal their remains long after their deaths, ensuring they are never truly forgotten. The tone throughout the poem is reflective, mournful, and reverent, urging the reader to recognize the ongoing presence of the past in the natural world.
