remains Flashcards
What does the poem begin with and what does it imply?
‘On another occasion’
This implies that this account is not the only unpleasent story the soldier has in his memory
What are the Three themes in remains?
Guilt, Conflict and Life and death
What does the soldier feel at the end of the poem that is suggested by the final line?
‘his bloody life in my blood hands’
Shows that he will always have blood on his hands
How is the theme of Guilt shown?
The speaker is haunted by the guilt of taking a man’s life. He is upset by the fact the man might be innocent.
Evidence:
‘probably armed, possibly not’
How is the theme of Conflict shown?
The speaker is acting under orders and is engaged with combat in another country
Evidence:
‘dug behind enemy lines,’
‘not left for dead in some distant, sun-stunned, sand-smothered land’
How is the theme of Life and Death shown?
The looter is killed by rounds of bullets.
Evidence:
‘I see every round as it rips through his life’
‘I see broad daylight on the other side’
What is the poem written as?
A monologue
What are the similarities between ‘Remains’ and ‘Exposure’?
Both are about soldiers in wartime.
Both present a first-person narrative.
Both provide graphic images of death and war.
What’s the reason for the interpretation ‘The solider are nameless and in many ways identical’ in the line ‘Well myself and somebody else’ and ‘are all of the same mind’?
The use of ‘somebody else’ suggests that these could be any men, as if the soldiers are as disposable as the looter they have killed. The lack of names makes them anonymous and perhaps suggests that this is the way they are regarded by others.
What is the peom about?
Modern warfare, unnamed but recognisable as The Gulf War, Afghanistan or similar
What imagery is used in the poem?
Brutal images of shooting - ‘rips’, ‘guts’
What do the repeated lines emphasise?
Repeated nightmares
What is the peom about?
Modern warfare, unnamed but recognisable as The Gulf War, Afghanistan or similar
What is the poem presented through?
The point of view of a solider suffering post-traumatic stress disorder
What is an example of violent language in the poem?
“I swear I see every round as it rips through his life”
