Remains Flashcards
How do we know that the beginning of Remains is a monologue?
The opening line seems like part of a longer conversation and the use of first person pronouns
What is a monologue?
A monologue is when a poem is constructed as a long speech by one person.
What does the monologue tell us about the poem?
The monologue suggests that the poem is going to be personal and expressive of their own thoughts/ feelings.
Why are there a few long lines that “stand out”
The poet is trying to show the significance in these particular lines as our attention is drawn to them.
What are the two sections focusing on?
The first section focuses on the shooting incident, and the second focuses on the solider’s emotional trauma from it.
What do the 2 distinct sections tell us?
The 2 distinct sections show to us that despite the end of an event, the power of the memory is still lingering and is seemingly even worse than the event itself due to the contrast from the lack of emotion to the torment the soldier now faces.
Give an example of colloquial language used.
“One of my mates goes by” adds to the impression that we are over hearing part of a conversation.
Why are the words “Hits” and “Rips” used?
These words are made up of short and sharp vowel sound which represent the flying bullets.
What does the use of enjambment do?
The enjambment reflects the fact that the incident is continually and endlessly disturbing.
“But I blink” (break between verses)
“and he bursts again…” This may represent the moment when the soldier blinks
Give an example of alliteration used in the poem
“sun-stunned, sand-smothered land” repeats the “s” sound and could indicate the slurred sound of drunkenness which links to the “drink and drugs” and could suggest how he is trying to use substance abuse to flush out his haunting memories.
What does the use of “Probably armed, possibly not” tell us?
The use of the equal split between the repetition suggests the equal chance whether the man was armed, and the “possibly not” part of it also shows us the doubt and guilt felt after the initial thought of “probably armed”.
