Poppies Flashcards
Who is the poet?
Jane Weir
Context?
This poem is a dramatic monologue.
Weir is a textiles designer.
Written when British soldiers were involved in conflict in Iraq.
She is writing from the perspective of a mother who is learning to let go of her son as he goes to war.
Describe the meaning of the title ‘Poppies’
- Irony. Poppies were a symbol of the end of the war, however here it is just the start.
- Poppies are a symbol of tragedy and respect - foreshadowing the loss of her son.
What is the purpose of dramatic monologue form?
It is a contrast between the mother’s speech and the son’s silence.
This heightens the sense of loss the mum is feeling.
Sense of ambiguity
- is the son dead or not?
Describe the structure?
GOOD ONE TO USE
FREE VERSE
Doesn’t rhyme and has no regular rhythm
The stanzas are all different lengths
Frequent use of caesura and enjambement
—> combine to make a chaotic structure which lacks control or organisation
This mirrors her messy and jumbled thoughts, & reflects impact of conflict on those at home.
What is the use of military imagery?
“Graze”
“Reinforcements”
Her mind is a microcosm for war inside her head - she needs back up.
She can’t let go of her son.
What is the use of the domestic semantic feild?
Represents the slow process of layering emotions and recovering from grief. The mother is trying to heal, but it takes tike to build up a tough layer that is difficult to take apart.
‘All my words flattened, rolled, turned into felt’
