Remains Flashcards
What does the quote “On another occasion, we get sent out to tackle looters raiding a bank.” Show
The colloquial opening in the middle of a conversation suggests the speaker’s weariness with the regularity of such events, highlighting the lack of glory in war.
What does the quote “And one of them legs it up the road, probably armed, possibly not.” Show
The use of the colloquialism “legs it” suggests the soldier’s youth. The uncertainty over whether the looter was armed foreshadows the speaker’s later guilt.
What does the quote “Well myself and somebody else and somebody else are all of the same mind, so all three of us open fire. “ show
The speaker’s inability to recall specifics reflects a trauma-induced haze, while the phrase “all of the same mind” implies a loss of individuality within the group.
What does the quote “I see every round as it rips through his life — I see broad daylight on the other side. “ show
The soldier’s focus on each bullet’s impact portrays his growing awareness of the consequences of his actions. The gruesome description marks a shift to greater emotional depth, symbolising a loss of innocence.
What does the quote “One of my mates goes by and tosses his guts back into his body.
Then he’s carted off in the back of a lorry.” Show
The nonchalant, dehumanising treatment of the looter’s injuries and body and casual use of language reflects the soldiers’ coping mechanisms in war and highlights the devaluation of life in conflict.
What does the quote “End of story, except not really. His blood-shadow stays on the street,…” show
The persistence of the looter’s blood stain symbolises the indelible mark of trauma on the soldier’s psyche.
What does the quote “and he bursts again through the doors of the bank. Sleep, and he’s probably armed, possibly not. Dream, and he’s torn apart by a dozen rounds.” Show
The recurring intrusion of the looter’s image reflects the soldier’s inability to escape the trauma. The use of stream of consciousness highlights the relentless nature of PTSD
What does the quote “but near to the knuckle, here and now, his bloody life in my bloody hands.” Show
The immediacy of the memory’s impact is conveyed through the phrase “near to the knuckle”, highlighting the persistent anguish. The repetition of the stain of blood signifies the enduring guilt and trauma haunting the soldier.
What does the quote “Then I’m home on leave. But I blink” show
The use of the connective “but” and caesura interrupts the speaker’s sentence, just as his mind and life are interrupted by the trauma he experienced.
What does the quote “he’s here in my head when I close my eyes,…” “not left for dead in some distant, sun-stunned, sand-smothered land or six-feet under in desert sand,” show
The poet suggests that the memory is embedded in the mind of the speaker and the hazy, dream-like description of a foreign land reflects the impact of the trauma.
What is the form of the poem
-the speaker starts with the first person plural but changes to first person singular sounding like a confession
-in the final couplet both lines have the same metre which gives a feeling of finality and hints the guilt will stay with the soldier
What is the structure of the poem
-the poem begins as if it’s gonna be an amusing anecdote but quickly changes into a graphic description of a man’s death
-there is a turning point at the beginning of the fifth stanza where the soldiers tone thoughts and emotions are changed by his guilt
What is the repetition of the poem
Words are repeated to reflect the way that the killing is repeated in the speaker’s mind
