remains

Question 1

on another occasion, we got sent out

Answer 1

• another suggets this incident is one of many that have had a great effect on the soldier
  -suggests that this event is not unique but rather part of a series of similar incidents that the soldiers have encountered.
• “we got sent out” - sounds like an exclusion,
• can infer that war is a sort of psychological exclusion, expelled from his own identity
• reinforces the theme of the soldiers being trapped in a cycle of violence and conflict.

Question 2

form

Answer 2

monologue- interrupted in media res

Question 3

“i see every round as it tips through his life”

Answer 3

• dramatic pause after the word swear. ironic double meaning, we can imagine him cursing himself
• gap represents volta
• “we” to “i”, starts blaming himself, harsh alliteration of r sound “round” “rips”
• “rips through his life” utterly destructive
• “round” suggests circularity, suggests that its a memory that keeps on coming back
• By personifying the bullet, the poet suggests that it is not just a lifeless object but a force that profoundly affects and alters the soldier’s existence. This personification adds a layer of emotional resonance and highlights the destructive power of war.

Question 4

“one of my mates go by and tosses his guts back into his body”

Answer 4

• colloquial language “mates” and “goes by”.
• casual action “tosses” juxtaposes the horror thats being described
• sibilance creates a sinister mood that the speaker is trying to suggest this is normal, but is really horrifying
• “tosses his guts” sounds like a metaphor, to be sick. this alludes to the fact that this soldier is now feeling sick remembering the incident, whereas at the time, it was simply a casual moment, as reflected by the colloquial imagery

Question 5

“and the drink and the drugs wont flush him out”

Answer 5

• “drink” and “drugs” suggest pleasure and addiction, like he is trying to escape this memory
• highlight how experiences from war remain with the soldiers even when they return back home
• “wont flush him out” - excrement, he wants to get rid of it. this allusion to excrement also reflects how he sees himself, he feels like he is worthless
• The use of the word “won’t” implies the failure or ineffectiveness of the drink and drugs in eradicating the soldier’s trauma. This negative connotation contributes to a sense of hopelessness and despair, emphasizing the profound and lasting impact of the war on the soldier’s mental well-being.

Question 6

“but near to the knuckle, here and now, his bloody life in my bloody hands”

Answer 6

• he didnt end with a rhyming couplet, shows discordance (sounds dont fit), also emphasised with hand(s) rather than hand so that it doesnt entirely rhyme with land and sand. highlights his lack of control
• “his (the looters) bloody life in my bloody hands” literary allusions to macbeth, and the blood in the play is represented by guilt, he may be suggesting that the looters life was just as precious as the king that macbeth killed, so the consequences may be just as tragic as macbeths and lady macbeths
• “his” now highlights personal responsibility, gives him a motive for self destruction
  OR
• he has realised he is responsible and can now cure himself, and if he is talking to an army medical officer, he could possibly get help
• “here and now” - the poet conveys that the speaker is facing the harsh and brutal reality of the soldier’s life and the consequences of their own actions. It suggests a confrontation with the unfiltered and uncomfortable truth, emphasizing the rawness and emotional intensity of the situation.
• the repetition of bloody adds a tone of frustration or exasperation, as if the speaker is overwhelmed by the weight of the situation. It conveys the deep sense of burden and personal involvement the speaker experiences.

Question 7

structure

Answer 7

This adherence to a consistent form creates a sense of control and orderliness, contrasting with the chaotic and disturbing events being described. The use of quatrains also allows for concise and focused expressions of the speaker’s thoughts and emotions.

Structure:
The poem follows a loose narrative structure, with the speaker recounting a specific incident that occurred during war. The events unfold gradually, as the speaker provides details and reflects upon their implications. This structure helps to build tension and engage the reader’s attention, as they become invested in understanding the speaker’s experience.

Enjambment:
Armitage employs frequent enjambment throughout the poem, where a sentence or phrase continues from one line to the next without a pause or punctuation mark. This technique creates a sense of fluidity and movement, mirroring the soldier’s fragmented thoughts and memories. Enjambment also contributes to the poem’s conversational tone, enhancing the intimate and confessional nature of the monologue.

Repetition:
The poem incorporates several instances of repetition, particularly in the phrase “probably armed, possibly not.” This repetition emphasizes the uncertainty and moral ambiguity the speaker faces when making split-second decisions in the heat of battle. The repetition also serves to highlight the haunting nature of the incident, as the phrase recurs throughout the poem, reinforcing its lasting impact on the speaker’s psyche.

Colloquial Language:
Armitage employs colloquial language and vernacular expressions in the poem, enhancing the authenticity and immediacy of the speaker’s voice. This choice of language contributes to the overall realism of the poem, making the emotional impact more relatable and visceral to the reader.