Remains

Question 1

Who wrote remains?

Answer 1

Simon Armitage

Question 2

What quote from remains has a double meaning?

Answer 2

“Dug in behind enemy lines” - the metaphor compares the memory stuck in his mind to a soldier in a trench

Question 3

What is meant by “probably armed, possibly not”?

Answer 3

There is doubt here, which contrasts strongly with the definite action that follows

Question 4

How does Armitage describe the mans death in remains?

Answer 4

“I see every round as it rips through his life - i see broad daylight on the other side” - grotesque, exaggerated image - he can see straight through the bullet holes in the mans body

Question 5

What is remains about?

Answer 5

A group of soldiers shoot a man who’s running away from a bank raid hes been involved in. The soldier telling the story isn’t sure whether the man was armed or not. He cant get the mans death out of his head, hes haunted by the memories

Question 6

How is remains laid out?

Answer 6

There is no regular line length or rhyme scheme, making it sound like someone is telling a story

Question 7

In remains who is the speaker?

Answer 7

The poem is based on the account of a British soldier who served in Iraq

Question 8

Remains
“His bloody life…

Answer 8

…in my bloody hands”

Question 9

Remains
“His blood-shadow…

Answer 9

…stays on the street and out on patrol”