Poppies

• What does 'Armistice Sunday' symbolize in the poem?


  Grief and loss
• What do the 'poppies' symbolize in the poem?

  Bloodshed of war and mourning for lost loved ones
• Who is the narrator addressing in the poem?


  The man presumed to be her son leaving for war
• What does the phrase 'spasms of paper red' suggest in the poem?


  Unnatural, painful death or injury related to war
• What does the 'front door' metaphorically represent?


  A threshold between domestic life and the battlefields
• How does the simile 'like a treasure chest' relate to the emotions of the characters?


  It reflects the man's naïve excitement and the mother's overwhelming emotions
• What does the word 'intoxicated' imply about the man's feelings?


  His adrenaline rush of freedom and naïve excitement
• What does the release of 'a song bird from its cage' symbolize?


  The man's newfound freedom and the mother's release of bottled emotions
• What does the single 'dove' symbolize in the poem?

  Peace and foreshadowing of bad events
• How does the mother's exposure to the cold serve as a metaphor?


  It represents her vulnerability when confronted with her son's grave
• What does the line 'Strangely apart, yet strangely close together' suggest?

  Psychological closeness despite physical separation
• How is time personified in the lines about 'time itself's a feather'?


  It describes the gentle passing of time
• Who are the two individuals mentioned in the poem's focus?

  The poet's father and mother
• What does the hill symbolize in the poem?

  The emotional challenge the narrator has overcome
• What does the nostalgic tone in the poem signify?


  The narrator's longing to hear her son's voice
• What does Jane Weir aim to portray in her poem?


  The grief of bereaved mothers
• What does the phrase 'the power of memory' refer to in the context of the poem?


  The lasting impact of memories on those left behind
• What are the main themes explored in the poem 'Poppies' by Jane Weir?


  • Grief and loss
  • The impact of war on families
  • The conflict between domestic life and military imagery
  • The power of memory and love
  • The emotional turmoil of separation
• How does Jane Weir use imagery to convey emotions in 'Poppies'?


  • Use of 'poppies' to symbolize bloodshed and mourning
  • 'Spasms of paper red' to evoke pain and distress
  • 'Front door' as a threshold between home and war
  • 'Dove' as a symbol of peace and foreshadowing
  • 'Cold' to represent vulnerability
• How does the poem 'Poppies' relate to historical context?


  • References Armistice Day and its significance
  • Reflects on wars from the Great War to modern conflicts
  • Highlights ongoing grief from soldiers' deaths
  • Connects to the Poppy Day tradition of remembrance
• What literary devices are prominent in 'Poppies' and how do they enhance the poem?


  • Similes (e.g., 'like a treasure chest') to convey emotions
  • Metaphors (e.g., 'released a song bird from its cage') for freedom
  • Personification (e.g., 'time itself's a feather') to illustrate time's effects
  • Juxtaposition (e.g., 'steeled the softening') to show inner conflict
• What does the poem suggest about the relationship between the mother and son?

  • Deep emotional connection despite physical separation
  • Mother's protective instincts and fears for her son
  • Longing for the past and childhood innocence
  • The pain of letting go and the impact of war on their bond
• How does the poem 'Poppies' compare to other war poems?


  • Similar themes of memory and loss as in 'Kamikaze' and 'Remains'
  • Focus on personal impact of war on families
  • Use of domestic imagery to contrast with military themes
  • Exploration of emotional turmoil and inner conflict
• What does Remembrance Sunday commemorate?


  It remembers those who fell in all wars since World War One.
• Why did Carol Ann Duffy ask writers to compose poems during the Iraq and Afghanistan wars?


  To express the suffering and grief caused by the deaths of soldiers.
• How many sons does Jane Weir have?


  Two sons.
• What is the main theme of the poem 'Poppies' by Jane Weir?


  It explores the grief of bereaved mothers and the implications of war.
• How does Jane Weir portray the grief of mothers in her poem?


  By imagining the feelings of women who have lost a child in war.
• What are the main themes presented in 'Poppies'?

  • Grief of those left behind
  • Motherhood and the impulse to protect
  • Emotional suffering from loss
• What is Armistice Day and when is it commemorated?


  Armistice Day is on November 11th, commemorating the end of World War One.
• What do poppies symbolize in relation to war?


  Poppies symbolize the blood spilled in war and commemorate those who died.
• How does the poet use the repetition of 'before' and 'after' in the poem?


  To suggest a calm before a storm and highlight the passage of time.
• What does the phrase "I pinned one onto your lapel" imply in the poem?


  It foreshadows a time when she would wear a poppy in remembrance of her son.
• What does 'crimped petals' suggest in the context of the poem?


  It implies that war damages both soldiers and their families.
• What does the word 'spasms' convey in the poem?


  It suggests injury and the emotional pain associated with the son's possible death.
• How does the term 'blockade' function in the poem?


  It represents both military action and the emotional barrier between mother and son.
• What does 'bias binding' symbolize in the poem?


  It suggests the outward display of firmness while hiding inner fears.
• What does the metaphor of 'Sellotape bandaged around my hand' imply?


  It suggests the mother's helplessness in the face of war injuries.
• What does the phrase "I wanted to graze my nose across the tip of your nose" evoke?


  It evokes a sense of tenderness and nostalgia for childhood moments.
• How does 'blackthorns' relate to the theme of the poem?


  It symbolizes the mother's belief that her son is being unjustly 'crucified' by going to war.