Power And Conflict Poetry - Poppies

Question 1

Who wrote Poppies?

Answer 1

Jane Weir

Question 2

What is the structure?

Answer 2

4 stanzas with no rhyme
Monologue
Stanzas are structured like long events in the life of mother and child

Question 3

What is the big idea?

Answer 3

Th poem looks partially at conflict because the son is going to war, but from the perspective of those it leaves behind - a behind the scenes view of emotions of the families and the conflict of the mothers emotions

Question 4

Three days before Armistice Sunday
and poppies had already been placed

Answer 4

Enjambment
Reader is forced to think of conflict as mother is reminded of it everyday
Violence, death, memory

Question 5

Spasms of red paper, disrupting a blockade
Of yellow bias binding around your blazer

Answer 5

Semantic field of blood and conflict showing war is crippling
Mothering of son
Blocking emotions

Question 6

Sellotape bandaged around my hand

Answer 6

Physical gestures tell us what mother cannot say
Homely image contrasts bandage

Question 7

Steeled the softening

Answer 7

Sibilance
Calm, homely tone

Question 8

play at
being Eskimos

Answer 8

Enjambment
Personal anecdote
Intimacy juxtaposes military

Question 9

gelled
blackthorns

Answer 9

Religion - both making sacrifices

Question 10

flattened, rolled, turned into felt

Answer 10

Tongue-tied

Question 11

I was brave, as I walked
with you

Answer 11

She doesn’t want him to leave knowing he might not return

Question 12

the world overflowing
like a treasure chest

Answer 12

Simile - world is attractive

Question 13

A single dove flew from the pear tree

Answer 13

Struggles to move on after he’s gone

Question 14

tucks, darts, pleats, hat-less

Answer 14

Distraction from grief through listening to

Question 15

I traced
war memorial

Answer 15

Physical senses imply intimacy

Question 16

I listened, hoping to hear

Answer 16

Caesura
Breaks down the verse implies the choking back tears