Mametz Wood Flashcards
(9 cards)
About
The poem explores the aftermath of the Battle of Mametz Wood, part of the Battle of the Somme in WWI. The poet reflects on how the land is still revealing the bodies of soldiers, decades later, as farmers uncover bones and relics of war.
Structure
The poem is written in free verse with no consistent rhyme scheme, reflecting the disorder and chaos of war. The lines are uneven in length, mirroring the uneven land described.
The poem is structured in tercets (three-line stanzas), which creates a sense of control and reflection — suggesting a modern perspective trying to make sense of past horrors.
There’s a shift between the beginning (landscape and farming), the middle (discovery of bones), and the end (a haunting image of the soldiers “singing” in death), which creates a narrative arc from past to present.
Imagery
The writer details injured body parts in a list in the second stanza and later describes the damage to soldiers such as ‘broken mosiac of bone’ which is juxtaposition contrasting the beauty if a mosaic with the image of broken bones. Shows how war can dehumanize people- ‘china plate’ presents fragility. Violent images of war reminds readers of horrifying conditiond they faced such as ‘socketed heads’ which is vivid and disturbing image to show decay.
Language
Metaphors like comparing bones to “china plate” or “broken bird’s egg” convey the vulnerability and tragedy of the soldiers’ fate. The earth’s personification as a sentinel adds a layer of meaning, suggesting the earth is both a witness and a caretaker of the dead.Phrases like “wasted young” and “absent tongues” evoke a strong sense of loss and mourning, highlighting the futility of war.
The poem’s use of the third person creates distance, allowing the poet to reflect on the legacy of the soldiers and the human tragedy of war.
‘the wasted young turning up under thei plough blades’
“Wasted young”: deeply emotive – suggests lost potential, lives thrown away needlessly.
“Turning up”: casual tone contrasts with the tragedy – implies the horror of war has become part of routine farming.
Sheers uses this juxtaposition to show how the trauma of war lies just beneath the surface of normal life – both literally and emotionally.
‘the earth stand sentintal’
Personification: the earth is watching, guarding – as if it remembers even when humans forget.
“Sentinel” suggests honour and silent vigilance, but also hints at grief and duty.
Nature becomes a silent witness to the horror, preserving the memory of the fallen where official history may not.
‘a broken mosaic of bone’
Metaphor: the shattered remains of soldiers are likened to a “mosaic” – something fragile, artistic, and sacred.
“Broken” reminds us of the violence that caused this; the word also reflects the emotional fragmentation caused by war.
Sheers transforms the brutal image of bones into something beautiful but tragic, emphasising both sacrifice and loss.
‘as if the notes they had sung have only now, with this unearthing, slipped from their absent tongues’
Extended metaphor of singing and silence – links to the lost voices of soldiers.
“Absent tongues”: haunting image – a poetic way of showing death and voicelessness.
Sheers suggests that only now, through this rediscovery, are the men finally being heard. He gives voice to those erased by time and war.
‘the silent field’
Simple, yet powerful oxymoron: silence where there was once bloodshed and screams.
The quietness now contrasts with the violence of the past – the poem is haunted by absence.
Sheers evokes a deep sense of mourning – the land is quiet not in peace, but because of what it holds beneath
