Remains

• What is the main theme of the poem "Remains" by Simon Armitage?


  The repercussions of war and the impact of PTSD on soldiers
• What does the poem "Remains" explore regarding soldiers returning from conflict zones?

  • The haunting memories of violence
  • The psychological impact of war, including PTSD
  • The struggle to cope with guilt and trauma
• Who is the author of the poem "Remains"?

  Simon Armitage
• What event does the poem "Remains" center around?


  A soldier's involvement in the shooting of a bank looter
• What are the key elements of the poem's synopsis?

  • Soldiers sent to handle bank looters
  • A looter is shot and suffers a violent death
  • The soldier is haunted by guilt and memories
  • Struggles with substance abuse and insomnia
• What societal issue does Armitage comment on through the poem?


  The lack of compassion for soldiers in military operations
• What literary technique does Armitage use by opening the poem in media res?


  It reflects the confusion and chaos of war
• What does the phrase "probably armed, possibly not" suggest about the looter?


  There is uncertainty about whether he posed a real threat
• How does the imagery of the looter's death contribute to the poem's themes?


  It emphasizes the brutality of violence and the soldier's guilt
• What does the use of the word "tosses" imply about the soldiers' attitude towards death?


  • Indicates a lack of care or respect for the deceased
  • Suggests desensitization to violence
  • Reflects the routine nature of their actions
• What does the term "blood-shadow" refer to in the poem?


  The lasting impact of the looter's death on the soldier's conscience
• How does the poem illustrate the concept of internal conflict?


  The soldier struggles with guilt over the killing
• What does the breakdown of stanza length at the end of the poem signify?


  It reflects the speaker's emotional breakdown and chaos
• What does the pun in "his bloody life in my bloody hands" suggest?


  It conveys both the gruesome nature of the death and the speaker's regret
• What does the phrase "near to the knuckle" imply about the speaker's memories?


  They are painful and close to his current reality
• How does the poem reflect modern literature's themes regarding masculinity?


  It challenges the expectation for soldiers to suppress emotions
• What is the significance of the poem being written in the present tense?


  • It creates immediacy and urgency
  • It emphasizes the ongoing impact of the memories
  • It reflects the speaker's current emotional state
• How does the poem "Remains" relate to the changing public opinion about war?


  It coincides with growing opposition to the Iraq war and recognition of PTSD
• What does the speaker's shift from sharing blame to taking sole responsibility indicate?

  It shows the psychological impact of PTSD on his perspective
• What does the ending of the stanza reveal about the speaker's internal chaos?


  It reveals that his internal chaos is caused by guilt.
• How does the adjective "bloody" function in the line "his bloody life in my bloody hands"?


  It serves as a pun, describing both the gruesome nature of death and as slang.
• What do "hands" symbolize in literature according to the study material?


  Hands often symbolize guilt.
• How does the speaker's perspective shift throughout the poem regarding responsibility?


  The speaker shifts from sharing blame to taking sole responsibility for the death.
• What does the reference to Macbeth in the poem suggest about guilt?


  It suggests that guilt is a haunting force, similar to Macbeth's experience.
• What is a motif in literature?


  • A recurring theme in a text.
• How does the speaker initially try to alleviate his responsibility for the death?


  He tries to share the blame with others.
• What does the phrase "three of a kind" imply about the soldiers' mindset?


  It implies that war has made them think alike and lose individuality.
• What does the use of colloquial language in the poem suggest about the soldiers?


  It suggests they have become desensitized to the harsh realities of war.
• What is the effect of enjambment in the poem?


  It creates tension and builds up to violent imagery.
• How does caesura contribute to the poem's meaning?

  It provides a sense of finality and interrupts the flow of thought.
• What does the phrase "But I blink" suggest about the speaker's experience after returning home?


  It suggests doubt about his ability to escape the memories of war.
• How does the poem explore the idea of memory?


  It suggests that memory can be corrupted by trauma.
• What does the speaker's mention of the looter he killed imply about his feelings?

  It implies he feels guilt and questions the justification of his actions.
• What is anaphora in the context of the poem?

  Anaphora is a word that refers to a previously used word.
• What are the similarities between "Remains" and "Charge of the Light Brigade"?

  • Both present soldiers as desensitized and treated as tools.
  • Both highlight the psychological impact of war versus propaganda.
• What are the differences between "Remains" and "Charge of the Light Brigade"?


  • "Remains" focuses on individual impact, while COTLB glorifies collective impact.
  • "Remains" presents memory as damaging, while COTLB presents it as a motivator.
• What are the similarities between "Remains" and "Bayonet Charge"?


  • Both explore psychological impacts of war.
  • Both depict soldiers as scared and questioning their roles.
• What are the differences between "Remains" and "Bayonet Charge"?


  • "Remains" focuses on short-term impacts, while BC focuses on long-term.
  • "Remains" deals with aftermath, while BC presents immediate battle fears.
• What does the cyclical structure in the poem indicate about the speaker's thoughts?


  It indicates he is stuck in his mind and keeps returning to his guilt.