Remains Flashcards
“On another occasion, we get sent out / to tackle looters raiding a bank.”
The poem opens In media res (mid action) which serves to confuse the reader as they initially n’t know what’s going on. This mirrors the confusion of the soldiers who are not emotionally epared for what will come next once leaving a war zone. This could be Armitage making a cietal comment in suggesting that soldiers are launched into situations they don’t fully
understand. It also suggests lack of compassion the military has for the individuals they are risking in strategic situations - hence, he was “possibly not” armed. By opening in media res, the poem also reflects the chaos of war and how unpredictable it is.By mentioning that “on another occasion we get sent out” the speaker is saying that this is a typical operation in the life of a soldier, and is a reality the soldiers have to deal with on a day-to-day basis.
Soldiers are expected to deal with repeated exposure to suffering and horror without any help.The opening also positions the reader as a listener, as they are being told a story and beginning a conversation. The speaker needs for someone to listen to his experiences and suffering in order to process his memories and guilt, like a confession or therapy.
Colloquial language: The use of “get sent out” is informal and conversational, which creates a sense of detachment, as though the speaker is used to these events happening regularly. This creates a feeling of normality to the violence and chaos the soldiers are experiencing, highlighting the routine nature of the conflict they are involved in.
2. Vivid imagery: “Looters raiding a bank” presents a clear and violent image, emphasizing the destructive nature of the situation. The choice of looters, typically associated with chaos, creates an immediate sense of disorder, suggesting that the soldiers are often thrown into situations where lawlessness and moral ambiguity reign.
3. Juxtaposition of “tackle” and “looters”: The verb “tackle” implies a sense of physicality, often associated with control or heroism, but when paired with “looters,” it introduces an ironic and morally complex situation. The soldiers are not just engaging with typical enemies but with individuals in a situation of desperation, which subtly critiques the nature of war and the blurred lines between right and wrong.
Connotations:
• “Get sent out” evokes the sense of soldiers as tools or instruments, rather than individuals making choices, highlighting the loss of agency in war. It reinforces the idea that the soldiers are following orders, not necessarily acting out of personal conviction or moral clarity.
• “Looters” connotes desperation, lawlessness, and a breakdown of social order, suggesting that these looters may be doing something more out of necessity than malice. It adds an element of sympathy, turning the action into something more morally ambiguous.
• “Raiding a bank” brings to mind images of theft, greed, and violence, but it also reflects the systemic nature of power struggles during war. The idea of raiding a bank — a symbol of capital — can be interpreted as an attack on societal infrastructure, representing the collapse of the social order in times of conflict.
Effect on the Reader:
• This line evokes a sense of moral ambiguity and disillusionment, as readers may question who the real enemy is. The soldiers are sent to deal with looters, not enemy combatants, which makes the line feel somewhat absurd, suggesting that the soldiers’ roles have become increasingly confused and detached from traditional notions of heroism.
• It forces the reader to reconsider the boundaries between right and wrong in a war zone. The soldiers are not engaging with the typical “enemy,” but with civilians in distress, which invites reflection on the deeper moral questions surrounding warfare.
Alternative Interpretation:
• On one hand, this line can be seen as a critique of the dehumanizing effect of war, where soldiers are reduced to mere tools sent on missions with no regard for the humanity of those involved. On the other hand, it could suggest that in the chaos of war, everything, even looting, is seen as part of the broader conflict, and soldiers must respond as though the moral distinctions no longer matter. The “loot” being a symbolic representation of the collapse of societal structures, where even “heroes” like soldiers are left with no clear idea of what they are fighting for.
Writers intention
In this line, the writer aims to highlight the absurdity and moral ambiguity of war. By having the soldiers sent to tackle looters, who are typically portrayed as lawless and morally inferior, the writer forces the reader to question the nature of the soldiers’ missions.
