Poppies

Question 1

Why did she write the poem

Answer 1

Jane Weir is trying to put across the mothers relationship with her son and how she would feel if her two teenage boys were fighting in a war zone.
Personal: textiles references

Question 2

Poppies

Answer 2

Armistice Sunday- remember the ordinary men killed in war.

Question 3

Who’s she speaking to

Answer 3

Her son (the memory/ ghost)

Question 4

How does it link to power and conflict/meaning

Answer 4

Looks at the pain and suffering of those left behind and the domestic conflict caused by national conflict. (Kamikaze)

Question 5

Form

Answer 5

Dramatic monologue- poet takes on the persona of a character speaking to somebody else (direct address).
No voice of son- emphasises the pain caused for the mother and focusses on those left behind (often ignored)
Emphasises that he’s not there

Addressing a silent listener (the son)

Question 6

How is the structure presented as chaotic?

Significance?

Answer 6

Free verse

Different stanza length

Enjambment
‘All my words
flattened, rolled, turned into felt.’

Caesura (break in the middle of a line)
‘like a treasure chest. A split second’

Structure is chaotic- reflects the chaotic impact of conflict on those at home because they are absorbed with the terrifying thought of those loved ones serving in war.

Question 7

‘All my words
flattened, rolled, turned into felt,

Slowly melting’.

Answer 7

enjambment on line and stanza.
Break in stanza reflect how the mother is breaking emotionally.

‘If one is to grieve, one has to at some point let it dissolve.’

Question 8

Significance of use of domestic language and imagery

Answer 8

Infuses domestic ordinary imagery with the rich metaphor, simile and imagery of war and suffering.
Shows how those left behind feel.

Question 9

Infusion of domestic and war language/ imagery

‘-of paper red, disrupting a - of yellow -‘

Answer 9

‘Spasms of paper red, disrupting a blockade of yellow bias’’

‘Spasms’ noun
Word of injury, pain and suffering

‘Blockade’ noun
War language
To isolate/ close off by hostile troops to prevent entrance or exit.

Blending of domestic image (pinning poppies onto sons lapel) and war image.
Reflects how mother is seeing ideas of suffering in her everyday life+ ideas of conflict are overwhelming her.

Question 10

Infusion of domestic and war language/ imagery

‘- - around my hand’

Answer 10

‘Sellotape bandaged around my hand’

To get cat hair off his clothes- domestic action

‘Bandaged’ verb
Relate to suffering and wounded soldier.

Question 11

Infusion of domestic and war language/ imagery

‘- my nose’

Answer 11

‘Graze my nose’
She wants to kiss him

‘Graze’
Suffering and conflict

Question 12

Infusion of domestic and war language/ imagery

‘- of scarf, -‘

Answer 12

‘Reinforcements of scarf, gloves’

Clothes to keep warm described with the military word of ‘reinforcements’ (noun) - extra troops being sent.

Question 13

‘A single dove’

Answer 13

Symbol of peace
Symbol of mourning
Conflicting emotions

Question 14

What does the constant blending of domestic and military language show?

Answer 14

The suffering of her son is always on the speakers mind + is in everything she sees and does.
Challenges of conflict on people that weren’t even there.

Question 15

‘I was -‘

Answer 15

‘I was brave’
Expected to be said by the soldier
Challenges pre-conceived ideas about conflict - war has huge impact on the ones left at home.

Question 16

‘The - - like a treasure chest’
Then
‘Intoxicated’

Answer 16

‘The world overflowing like a treasure chest’
Simile

Gives us an image of what the son is thinking- sense of excitement
Childish image suggests he doesn’t have realistic expectations.

‘Intoxicated’ verb
Suggests he’s not making a measured and controlled decision/ caught up in the excitement.

Question 17

What does it link well with

Answer 17

Kamikaze and war photographer

The domestic/ emotional effects of war.