zremains Flashcards
what is the poem about?
The speaker describes an occasion during war when he shot a looter. He is unable to get the memory out of his mind and is traumatised and he has ptsd.
what is the solider opverwhelmed with
guilt
what does the poet raise questions about
the poet raises questions about the way men in war are conditioned. They are conditioned to put aside their personal emotions when they commit acts of violence or destruction.
His blood-shadow stays on the street, and out on patrol”
This metaphor indicates something dark that cannot be gotten rid of
The verb “flush” is indicative of something that needs to be cleansed or disposed of, linking to the unpleasantness of his memories.
“And the drink and the drugs won’t flush him out”
The repetition of “bloody” reinforces the sense of his frustration. The image of having blood on his hands symbolises the guilt he is unable to rid off
“His bloody life in my bloody hands
small intestine
“tosses his guts”-the use of colloquil langauge shows the dehumisation of men
zacks nose
“his blood shadow stays on the street”-methaphor something dark cannot be gotten rid of
who worte the poem
simon armitage
violent language to show brutality
“i swear i see every round as it rips through his body”
theme
guilt,violonce,conflict,effect of war
