REMAINS

Question 1

Key quotations of Remains.

Answer 1

“I see every round as it rips through his life- I see broad daylight on the other side”
“his bloody life in my bloody hands”
“one of my mates goes by and tosses his guts back into his body”

Question 2

“I see every round as it rips through his life- i see broad daylight on the other side”

Answer 2

Simon Armitage utilises the repetition of the letter “r” to reflect the violence of the imagery and paired with the graphic hyperbole used in the aggressive verb “rips” it highlights the grotesque moment his life was altered.

Question 3

“his bloody life in my bloody hands”

Answer 3

Armitage makes the soldier’s guilt explicit through the repetition of “bloody” within the final line, “his bloody life in my bloody hands”. The poet utilises the pun within the word “bloody” which has double meaning to either suggest literal blood which is symbolic of the guilt he endures or the cursory word which illustrates his bitterness. Overall, Armitage exhibits the effects of PSTD within the aftermath of war.

Question 4

“one of my mates goes by and tosses his guts back into his body.”

Answer 4

Armitage demonstrates the normalisation of death to the soldiers through the implementation of colloquial language which dehumanises the victims. This is exhibited in the casual address of his fellow soldier as “mate” which would typically be used at a social event. Furthermore, the casual dynamic verb “tosses” juxtaposes the reality of the situation showing that the experiences are so indescribable that they have became euphemistic.

Question 5

Explain the structure and form of REMAINS.

Answer 5

In Remains, Armitage utilises enjambment throughout to reflect the soldier’s inability to control the trauma and his emotional outpourings.