Poppies Flashcards
What time phrase is repeated to emphasise the parallel between national and personal mourning and remembrance?
“Before”
What quotation is an ominous reminder that war kills individuals, so loss is personal?
“Individual war graves”
What does “spasms” have connotations of?
An injured body
What does “a blockade” suggest?
Suggests that she feels shut out from her son’s life
Who wrote Poppies?
Jane Weir
What quotation shows an image of being wounded and shows that she is emotionally wounded and he might be wounded in war?
“Sellotape bandaged around my hand”
What quotation shows a domestic, motherly image that may be the last time she can do this for her son?
“smoothed down your shirt’s”
What quotation uses alliteration to emphasise she’s trying to be brave and not show emotion?
“steeled the softening”
What does the use of a caesura in line 11 and 14 show?
The caesura reflects the mother’s attempt to stay in control - she doesn’t want to get carried away with her emotions
What quotation is a reference to the sense of touch that shows how the mother longs for the closeness she had with her son when he was small and which emphasises the distance between them?
“Graze my nose”
What quotation alludes to Jesus, who wore a crown of thorns when he was crucified?
“the gelled blackthorns of your hair”
What quotation suggests she speaks softly and aligns her with domesticity?
“turned into felt”
What quotation shows the mother’s composure briefly disappearing?
“Slowly melting”
What quotation shows that the mother asserting her bravery here subverts the idea that it’s only those who go off to war who are brave?
“I was brave”
What verb shows a sudden movement that suggests breaking a boundary?
“threw it open”
What simile shows the world from son’s perspective - makes it sound exciting and full of precious experiences?
“like a treasure chest”
What quotation shows the son’s excitement contrasts with his mother’s sadness. However also hints at a lack of control?
“Intoxicated”
What quotation symbolises her son leaving?
“released a song bird from its cage”
What quotation suggests that doves are a symbol of peace but also of mourning?
“A single dove”
What quotation creates sewing imagery that conveys her nervousness and physical feelings of anxiety?
“my stomach busy making tucks, darts, pleats”
What quotation uses battle imagery to make her sound vulnerable?
“a winter coat or reinforcements”
What quotation emphasises that the memorial is a solid object, unlike her wishes and memories?
“on reaching the top of the hill i traced”
What quotation is a reminder of the risks her son faces?
“the inscriptions on the war memorial”
What quotation shows strong visual imagery that hints at her wish for his safety?
“Like a wishbone”
What quotation shows strong visual imagery of something small and beautiful to represent her son?
“An ornamental stitch”
What quotation uses alliteration to echo the way she’s straining to hear him?
“hoping to hear”
What quotation links leaving to join the army with leaving to go to school?
“your playground voice catching on the wind”
What is the context of Poppies?
The setting of the poem is ambiguous as there are suggestions of modern conflict but also frequent links to the past and memory. Published in the Guardian.
What is the form of Poppies?
First person narrative. No regular rhyme or rhythm which sounds like the narrator’s thoughts and memories.
Whats the structure of the poem like?
It is chronological which relates the her sons departure and the affects on the mother afterwards.
What is the mood/tone of Poppies?
Loss, Fear and freedom
