Remains

Question 1

Context for this poem:

Answer 1

Armitage became the new Poet laureeate, following Carol Ann Duffy.

Attended the university of manchester, aswell as studying in Portsmouth.

Poetry often relates back to his Yorkshire heritage.

Question 2

What can the first line “ On another occasion “ suggest?

Answer 2

AS the poem starts in media res, cofuses the reader as the intially dont know whjats going on . this also mirros the confusion of the soldier, as they are not emotionally prepared for what will come next, This may be armitage making a societal comment. suggesting that soldiers are launched into situations they dont fully understand and the millitary lack of compassion for the individuals they are risking in strategic military siuations. hence he was possible not armed.

This further shows the chaos and how unpredictable war is.

Question 3

what can the gruesome imagery of “ sort of inside out, pain itself, the image of agony” suggest?

Answer 3

Guresome imagery. Also shows the transition from colloquial to emotional. Rich imagery aswell.

His colloquial language comes form trying to pretend that he hasn’t been impacted. Writing the poem is a process of going over memories and letting his actual emotions come out whilst on leave and escaped from the conflict zone.

Question 4

what can the quote “ but near to the knuckle here and now” suggest?

Answer 4

Idiom meaning risky or verging on the offensive , likely to cause offense, this memory feels offensive still causing him pain, it has a big impact on him, as it should be in the ast and forgotten, but PTSD causes him to relive the past as if it is happening again.
- flashbacks it should be forgein and forgotten but it is brought home and kept in the present.

Question 5

Simon Arimitage writes “Remains “ as a dramtic monologue and in the present tense, why?

Answer 5

Using present participles such as:

“legs it “

“tosses”

“are”

This gives a sense of being an account from memry in a flashback. Important to note that this a symptom of PTSD. Perhaps the speaker could be seen as recounting his experiences in a therapy like setting. It also works to set up a one way conversation as the speaker is only talking.

Question 6

How is the ending important?

Answer 6

” blood life in my bloody hands”

stanza length breaks down, final stanza is only two lines, whereas the rest are two.

This could represent the breakdown of soldiers in the war. It could also suggest that this is the stanza in which the speak has truly broken.

The ending reveals the source of his internal chaos as being his guilt, Using the repetition “bloody” in the line “his bloody life in my bloody hands “ Emphasises his own guilt, showing the true nature of war; its unnatural, going against all human beliefs.