Poppies Flashcards
Who wrote poppies and when
Jane weir 2005
Summary of poppies
The poem tells the story of a mother’s experience of watching her son go off to war. The poem shows the effect of war on those left behind.
Key themes of poppies
Effect of war of those left behind, grief, parenthood, childhood, memories
Context for poppies
-weir was a textile designer which explains her use of related imagery
-It originally commemorated the end of World War One. It has since become about remembering all those lost in war
Structure and form of poppies
-dramatic monologue
-second person narrative directly addressing son although there is never a response
-no rhyme scheme which shows these are the speakers uncensored thoughts
-free verse is used to create an impression of it being an outpouring of emotion, lack of control over her emotions
Key quotes of poppies
‘The world overflowing like a treasure chest ‘
‘Leaned against it like a wishbone’
‘I listened hoping to hear your playground voice catching on the wind’
Analyse quote ‘the world overflowing like a treasure chest’
-treasure chest = he’s valuable
-simile
-suggests the excitement and potential that the future has for the son or his naive perception of newfound freedom
-the fact that it is overflowing could suggest a sense of feeling overwhelmed for the parent.
Analyse quote ‘leaned against it like a wishbone’
-mother is broken in 2 as a result of losing him
-wishes for return of son, she’s gambling on her chances
-Its fragility is also important as it signifies her emotional vulnerability
Analyse quote ‘I listened hoping to hear your playground voice catching on the wind’
-nostalgic tone
-this longing of wanting him and the fact that she hears nothing cements our conception of his death
-ambiguous ending
-he is fading away poignant image
-playground voice = however he’s lost all innocence
