Poetry Remains Flashcards
‘Probably armed possibly not’
‘Probably armed possibly not’
‘Probably’possibly’-Adverbs of uncertainty= hes not sure if he did the right thing he feels guilty he might of taken the life of an innocent man.Reveals the uncertainty of the war in general. Don’t know the difference between innocent and not innocent.
He also describes his past memory in the present tense. Revealing that his past memory still effects him to the present day. Links to PTSD
‘every round as it rips through his life –’
‘every round as it rips through his life –’
‘every’-Determiner= emphasizes the destruction that happens with ‘every’ bullet. Each bullet takes a bit off his life.
‘rips’-Verb= suggest fragility of human life: it is so delicate that it can be torn apart in the matter of seconds revealing how barbaric this war is. Also a metaphor for the ‘rips’ and tears that appears in the speakers life.
This poem does not protect the reader from the graphic reality of war. (Compare to war photographer)
‘tosses his guts back into his body’
‘tosses’-Verb= Graphic imagery suggest a lack of care, treats the body like an animal. Worthless. He has to have no feelings to fight in the war. Shows the harsh reality of war. Shows how war can turn people into cold hearted men. Perhaps he is in a hurry as he might be in danger so has to move quickly.
‘his bloody life in my bloody hand’
‘his bloody life in my bloody hand’
‘Bloody’-Repetition= reveals his frustration and guilt. He deals with PTSD over and over again and he takes responsibility. Alludes to Shakespeare’s MacBeth. Reference to Lay Macbeth who sleep walks and tries to wash blood off her hands. The solider metaphorically compares himself to her as he feels intense guilt. This connected to the fact that the last stanza is a couplet, hints his mind is disintegrating and with the end stop it leaves an impression that the speaker is on the verge of suicide.
Simon Armitage
Hasn’t been involved with war but has took part in documentary and interview of lots of veterans.
Gulf war and the long lasting impact of conflict
Effects of conflict are far reaching
Structure of Remains
Armitage uses free verse and enjambment to perhaps reflect how the soldier has no control over his life now, or this memory which is deeply affecting him.
The poem is written as a monologue which helps develop the personal/human struggle of being a soldier.
