Remains

• Who is the author of the poem discussed in the study material?

  Simon Armitage
• What event is the speaker recounting in the poem?

  The speaker is recounting experiences from the war in Basra.
• How does the speaker describe the looter in the poem?

  The looter is described as possibly armed and fleeing up the road.
• What action do the soldiers take when they see the looter?

  All three soldiers open fire on the looter.
• What imagery is used to describe the aftermath of the shooting?

  The imagery includes the looter's body being torn apart and the pain of agony.
• What does the phrase "blood shadow stays on the street" imply?

  It implies the lasting impact of violence and trauma in the area.
• What does the speaker experience when he returns home on leave?

  The speaker blinks and is haunted by memories of the war.
• How does the speaker describe the impact of warfare on his mental state?

  The speaker describes feeling haunted by memories and unable to escape them.
• What does the phrase "his bloody in my blood" suggest about the speaker's feelings?

  It suggests a deep connection and trauma related to the violence experienced.
• What literary device does Simon Armitage use to create an authentic voice in the poem?

  He uses colloquial language to reflect the speech of a real soldier.
• What are the key themes presented in the poem?

  • The impact of war on soldiers
  • The lasting effects of violence and trauma
  • The struggle with memories of combat
  • The desensitization of soldiers to violence
• How does the poem convey the experience of PTSD?

  • The speaker's memories intrude on his daily life
  • Imagery of violence and trauma is vivid
  • The speaker feels haunted by the past
  • The use of colloquial language adds authenticity
• What is the significance of the phrase "not left for dead in some distant, sun-stunned, sand-smothered land"?

  • It emphasizes the immediacy of the trauma
  • It contrasts the battlefield with the speaker's current environment
  • It highlights the personal nature of the speaker's experience