Poppies Flashcards
what is the poem about?
a mother describes her son leaving home, seemingly to join the army
‘before’
repetition emphasises the parallel between national and personal mourning and remembrance
‘individual war graves’
an ominous reminder that war kills individuals so loss is personal
‘spasms’ ‘bandaged’
makes the reader think of an injured body, she is emotionally injured and he might be physically injured
‘steeled the softening’
alliteration emphasises the fact that she is trying to be brave and not show emotion
‘intoxicated’
the sons excitement contrasts with his mothers sadness, however it hints at the lack of control the sons giving up his control over his life by joining the army,
‘a single dove’
doves are a symbol of peace but also of mourning
‘I traced’
touch is important to the mother - the memorial is a solid object , unlike her wishes and memories
‘an ornamental stitch’
strong visual image of something small and beautiful in a vast space - represents her son
‘playground voice catching on the wind’
links leaving to join the army with leaving to go to school
what are the themes in the poem?
effects of conflict, identity
effects of conflict in ‘Poppies’?
pain and distress experienced by a mother, emotional distance foreshadows their physical seperation
identity in ‘Poppies’?
the son has a new identity as a solider from a son, the mother clings to his identity as her son, she longs for him to return to her
what is the form of the poem?
first-person narrative - get a strong impression of the mothers emotions, there is no regular rhymr or rhythm
