Remains

• What is the main theme of the poem "Mother Any Distance" by Simon Armitage?

  The poem explores the repercussions of war and PTSD.
• What event haunts the soldier in the poem?

  The soldier is haunted by his involvement in the shooting of a bank looter.
• What are the key elements of the poem's synopsis?

  • Soldiers handle bank looters
  • A man runs away and is shot
  • Violent death and suffering of the looter
  • Body disrespected after death
  • Soldier haunted by guilt
  • Guilt affects him during leave
  • Reliving the traumatic moment
  • Struggles with substance abuse and insomnia
• Who became the Poet Laureate in 2019?

  Simon Armitage became the Poet Laureate in 2019.
• What was the purpose of the documentary "The Not Dead"?

  It aimed to raise awareness about PTSD and its impact on soldiers.
• What was the basis for the poetry collection "The Not Dead"?

  The collection was based on Guardsman Tromans who fought in Iraq and suffered from PTSD.
• How does the poem reflect the chaos of war?

  It opens in media res, mirroring the confusion of soldiers in combat.
• What does the phrase "tosses his guts back into his body" imply about the soldiers' attitudes towards death?

  It suggests a lack of care and desensitization to violence.
• What does the repetition of "probably armed, possibly not" signify in the poem?

  It reflects the soldier's justification for his actions and his guilt.
• What is the significance of the gruesome imagery in the poem?

  • Highlights the brutality of war
  • Contrasts with colloquial language
  • Reveals the emotional impact on the soldier
  • Reflects the process of confronting memories
• How does caesura function in the poem?

  It provides a sense of finality and interrupts the flow of memory.
• What does enjambment across stanzas suggest in the poem?

  It separates reality from memory, reflecting the soldier's internal conflict.
• What does the phrase "his bloody life in my bloody hands" imply?

  It suggests the soldier feels cursed and regrets his actions.
• What does the poem suggest about the psychological impact of killing on soldiers?

  • Killing leads to guilt and trauma
  • Soldiers struggle with PTSD
  • Memories of violence haunt them
  • It challenges the natural human instinct against killing
• How does the speaker's perspective on responsibility shift throughout the poem?

  He starts by sharing blame and ends up taking full responsibility for the death.
• What does the term "motif" refer to in the context of the poem?

  A motif is a recurring theme throughout the text.
• How does the poem connect to the themes of guilt in literature, such as in Macbeth?

  Both use blood as a symbol of guilt that haunts the characters.
• What are the tools of war's impact on soldiers as described in the poem?

  • Soldiers lose individuality and humanity
  • They are trained to think alike
  • War breeds desensitization to violence
• What does the phrase "three of a kind" suggest about soldiers in the poem?

  It implies that soldiers are trained to act collectively and view others as potential enemies.
• How does the poem illustrate the expectation for soldiers to suppress their emotions?

  The speaker initially tries to minimize his role and appear casual about the violence.
• What does the phrase "dug in behind enemy lines" symbolize in the poem?

  It symbolizes the soldier's internal conflict and mental struggles with guilt.
• How does the poem depict the merging of reality and memory?

  It shows the soldier's flashbacks blending with his current experiences.
• What is the overall impact of the poem on the reader regarding the experience of soldiers?

  • Raises awareness of PTSD
  • Highlights the emotional toll of war
  • Encourages empathy for soldiers' struggles
• What phrases indicate the speaker's attempt to share responsibility for the decision made?

  “myself and somebody else and somebody else”, “all three of us” and “three of a kind”
• How does the speaker syntactically and structurally dominate the stanza?

  By including references to other people to minimize his own role
• What does the speaker's attempt to ignore his guilt relate to?

  The expectation for soldiers to not show emotion but remain brave
• How does colloquial language function in the poem?

  It helps the speaker appear casual and minimizes the impact of his experiences
• What is the definition of syntax?

  Relating to the arrangement of words within a sentence
• How does the speaker's feeling of responsibility change throughout the poem?

  He shifts from denying responsibility to accepting it entirely
• What does the use of enjambment in the poem suggest?

  It creates tension and reflects the speaker's inability to separate events
• What is enjambment?

  A sentence that runs over multiple lines
• How does the poem "Remains" differ from "Bayonet Charge" in terms of focus?

  "Remains" focuses on the short term, while "Bayonet Charge" focuses on the long term
• What does the use of caesura in "Remains" signify?

  It shows that chaos from the war still impacts the speaker

  
• What are the psychological consequences of conflict as depicted in "Remains" and "Poppies"?

  • In "Remains": Guilt highlighted by the blood motif
  • In "Poppies": Guilt and loss highlighted by the elegy form
• How do "Remains" and "Charge of the Light Brigade" compare in their portrayal of soldiers?

  Similarities:

  • Expectation of blind obedience
  • Reality of war vs. propaganda perspective

  
  

  Differences:

  • "Remains" focuses on individual impact; "COTLB" glorifies collective impact
• What are the similarities and differences between "Remains" and "Bayonet Charge" regarding psychological impact?

  Similarities:

  • Psychological impact on soldiers
  • Soldiers portrayed as scared

  
  

  Differences:

  • "Remains" focuses on PTSD; "BC" on questioning role in war
• What does the speaker's mention of the looter he killed imply?

  There is a possibility that the looter could have been innocent
• What does the term anaphora refer to in the context of the poem?

  A word that refers to a previously used word
• How is "Remains" structured as a dramatic monologue?

  It is written in the present tense and uses present participles
• What does the opening of "Remains" in media res signify?

  It reflects the confusion soldiers feel when entering a war zone