Remains - Simon Armitage

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

  Haunting effects of war and PTSD
• What does the poem "Remains" explore regarding soldiers?

  • Impact of war on soldiers
  • Repercussions of conflict
  • Conditions like PTSD
• Who is the author of the poem "Remains"?

  Simon Armitage
• What event does the poem "Remains" depict?

  A soldier's involvement in a shooting
• How does the poem depict the soldier's emotional state after the shooting?

  He is haunted by guilt and memories
• What are the key events described in the poem "Remains"?

  • Soldiers sent to handle bank looters
  • A looter is shot multiple times
  • The looter's body is disrespected
  • The soldier experiences guilt and trauma
• What condition does the poem raise awareness about?

  PTSD
• What does the phrase "probably armed, possibly not" suggest about the looter?

  Uncertainty about the looter's threat level
• What does the use of "tosses" imply about the soldiers' attitude towards death?

  They show a lack of care and desensitization
• How does the poem "Remains" reflect the chaos of war?

  • Opens in media res
  • Mirrors soldiers' confusion
  • Highlights unpredictability of conflict
• What literary technique is used when the poem opens in media res?

  It starts in the middle of action
• What does the phrase "on another occasion" indicate about the soldier's experiences?

  It suggests repeated exposure to violence
• How does the structure of the poem change towards the end?

  It breaks down into shorter stanzas
• What does the term "blood-shadow" symbolize in the poem?

  Haunting memories of guilt and death
• What does the use of the word "bloody" in the poem signify?

  It conveys both violence and personal curse
• What is the significance of the poem being written as a dramatic monologue?

  • Reflects a personal account of trauma
  • Creates a one-sided conversation
  • Suggests a need for confession and processing
• What does the speaker's perspective shift indicate about his emotional state?

  He begins to accept responsibility for his actions
• How does the poem address societal expectations of soldiers?

  It contrasts emotional vulnerability with masculinity
• What does the merging of reality and memory in the poem suggest?

  It reflects the impact of PTSD on perception
• What themes are prevalent in Simon Armitage's poetry?

  • Relatable situations
  • Complex structures
  • Exploration of human emotions
• What year did Simon Armitage become Poet Laureate?

  2019
• What was the purpose of the documentary "The Not Dead"?

  To raise awareness about PTSD
• How does the poem "Remains" reflect changing public opinion about war?

  It highlights opposition to unnecessary conflicts
• What is the significance of the title "Remains"?

  • Refers to memories of trauma
  • Suggests lingering guilt and consequences
  • Highlights the aftermath of violence
• What does the speaker reveal as the source of his internal chaos?

  Guilt
• How does guilt affect the speaker's life?

  It brings chaos and disorder to his life
• What pun does Armitage make with the word "bloody"?

  It describes violence or is slang
• What does the phrase "his bloody life in my bloody hands" suggest?

  He regrets killing the other soldier
• What do "hands" symbolize in literature according to the text?

  Guilt
• How does the speaker's perspective shift throughout the poem?

  From sharing blame to taking sole responsibility
• What does the reference to PTSD imply about the speaker's perspective?

  It shows how memory can be corrupted
• What literary work is linked to the poem's ending regarding guilt?

  Macbeth
• What symbolic motif is used in both the poem and Macbeth?

  Blood
• What psychological impact does Armitage explore in the poem?

  The impact of killing on a person
• What is a motif in literature?

  • A recurring theme in a text
• How does the speaker initially try to shift blame?

  By mentioning others involved in the decision
• What does the phrase "three of a kind" suggest about soldiers?

  They are trained to think the same way
• How does the speaker's use of colloquial language affect his portrayal?

  It shows he is trying to appear casual
• What is enjambment in poetry?

  A sentence that runs over multiple lines
• How does enjambment contribute to the poem's tension?

  It builds up to violent imagery