Poppies

Question 1

‘Individual…

Answer 1

…war graves’

Question 2

‘Smoothed down…

Answer 2

…your shirt’s upturned collar’

Question 3

‘Gelled blackthorns…

Answer 3

…of your hair’

Question 4

‘Without a winter…

Answer 4

…coat or reinforcements’

Question 5

‘I traced the….

Answer 5

…inscriptions on the war memorial’

Question 6

What is the form of the poem?

Answer 6

First person narrative - means that the reader gets a strong impression of the mother’s emotions.
No regular rhyme or rhythm - makes it sound like thoughts and memories.
Long sentences and enjambment - gives the impression that the speaker is absorbed in her own thoughts and memories.

Question 7

How is caesurae used?

Answer 7

Reflects the mothers attempt to stay in control - she doesn’t want to get carried away with her emotions.

Question 8

What is the structure of the poem?

Answer 8

The poem is chronological, describing preparing for her son leaving, his departure and then what the mother does afterwards. The time frame is ambiguous - memories of the sons childhood are intermingled with the memories of him leaving.

Question 9

How is war imagery used?

Answer 9

Images of war and violence symbolise the sons new identity and the danger he’s in.

Question 10

What is the context of the poem?

Answer 10

Weir was born in 1963 and lived in Northern Ireland during the troubles in the 1980s.
She has two sons which may have influenced her desire to explore what caused young boys to go to war and fight.
Weir was also a textile designer which explains her use of related imagery.