Poppies

Question 1

Poppies Form

Answer 1

First person narrative means that the reader gets a strong impression of the mother’s emotions.

No regular rhyme or rhythm, which makes it sound like the narrator’s thoughts and memories. Long sentences and Enjambment give the impression that the narrator is absorbed in her own thoughts and memorises whilst Caesurae show how she tries to hold her emotions together

Question 2

Poppies Structure

Answer 2

Poem is chronological describing preparations for son leaving then what mom does afterwards. However time is ambiguous. Memories of son’s childhood are intermingled with memorise of him leaving

Question 3

Poppies Use of senses

Answer 3

Mother’s separation from her son is emphasised by the way she can’t touch or hear him

‘HOPING TO HEAR’ alliteration echoes the way she’s straining to hear him

‘THE GELLED BLACKTHORNS OF YOUR HAIR’ ‘BLACK THORNS’ allude to jesus hints at sacrifice he might make

Question 4

Poppies Domestic Imagery

Answer 4

Images of war mixed with poignant images of home and family life

‘MY STOMACH BUSY MAKING TUCKS, DARTS, PLEATS’ sewing imagery convey her nervousness and physical feeling of anxiety

‘SMOOTHED DOWN YOUR SHIRT’ domestic motherly image, this may be the last time she can do this for her son

Question 5

Poppies Poems to compare

Answer 5

Family identity KAMIKAZE

LOOK AT LOSS emigree