Poems-Remains Flashcards
“Sort of inside out…tosses his guts back into his body”
Gruesome image.
Indicates the reality of war and the lack of glory or honour associated with such a job.
“His blood-shadow stays on the street, and out on patrol”
Metaphor.
Indicates something dark that cannot be dispelled, a constant reminder of what he did.
“And the drink and the drugs won’t flush him out”
An indication of the speaker’s desperation to rid himself of the harrowing memories.
The verb “flush” is indicative of something that needs to be cleansed or disposed of, linking to the unpleasantness of his memories.
“Possibly armed, probably not”
Uncertain language.
Reminds readers of the doubt that soldiers must deal with.
It links to the theme of guilt as there is an indication that the man who was killed was innocent.
“Well myself and somebody else and somebody else”
Colloquial language.
Shows that experiences, such as the one described, were common.
The soldiers are almost desensitised to the horrors of conflict when they are immersed in it.
“His bloody life in my bloody hands”
Repetition.
–Reinforces the sense of his frustration.
Bloody imagery.
–The image of having blood on his hands symbolises the guilt he is unable to rid himself of.
“Bloody” could also be interpreted as a swear word and mark his anger or regret.
“I swear I see every round as it rips through his life”
Violent language.
–The verb “rip” highlights the brutal nature of the attack.
Sensory language.
–“I see” conveys a sense of the trauma it has caused the soldier, as though it is branded on his memory.
Present tense.
–The use of the present tense links in with the idea that this suffering is ongoing and he constantly re-plays the memories.
“Torn apart by a dozen rounds”
Violent image.
Contrasts to ideas of peace and tranquillity, e.g. “sleep” and “dream”.
Comparisons-Powerful memories
Kamikaze.
Poppies.
The Emigree.
War Photographer.
The Prelude.
Comparisons-Powerful, memorable and/or unpleasant experiences
Exposure.
Charge of the Light Brigade.
Bayonet Charge.
The Prelude.
Comparisons-Reality of conflict/effects of conflict
War Photographer.
Exposure.
Poppies.
Bayonet Charge.
Charge of the Light Brigade.
