Poems Flashcards
(6 cards)
3 quotes for storm on the island + context
The poem can be read as a metaphor for the political tensions and conflicts in Northern Ireland, where unseen threats and violence loom like a storm.
- “bombarded by the empty air” (imagery)— The violent imagery shows how the storm feels like an attack, even though the danger is invisible.
- “Spits like a tame cat turned savage.” (language, structure)— This simile and sibilance shows how familiar things (like the wind) can become dangerous and unpredictable, emphasizing nature’s power.
- “Exploding comfortably” (language) - paradox, oxymoron is used to show the nature of the sea – it is ‘comfortable’ with its violence
3 quotes for Ozymandias + context
Inspired by the discovery of a huge statue of Ramses II (called Ozymandias by the Greeks) in Egypt and shows the decline of a great kingdom
“King of Kings” (language)→ repetition. He sees himself as the most powerful ruler, almost god-like.
“Stand in the dessert.” (Structure) - statue is surrounded by emptiness, no sign of the civilization it once represented. caesura dramatic pause that emphasizes emptiness and loss.
“Two vast and trunkless legs of stone” - visual imagery of a broken statue emphasises the fragility of human achievements over time and power of nature of humans.
Enjambment - mirrors the unstoppable passage of time. Ozymandias tries to freeze his power in stone, but time keeps moving forward, breaking it down.
3 quotes for bayonet charge + context
Bayonet Charge doesn’t describe a specific historical attack—it’s more of a general representation of a soldier’s experience charging into battle during World War I.
“Terror’s touchy dynamite” (language) - means the soldier is so scared that his fear is like an explosive force, pushing him forward uncontrollably. Dental alliteration = harsh, explosive effect, mimicking gunfire or the soldier’s panicked heartbeat.
“In raw-seamed hot khaki” (imagery)= The fear is shown by the soldier being suddenly jolted awake and immediately running, feeling disoriented after gun shots. “Raw” makes the soldier feel out of his depth because it emphasizes how unprepared and exposed he is.
“Statuary in mid-stride.” (structure)- caesura, “statuary” - The soldier is caught mid-run, almost like a statue. This gives the sense that time has paused, or he’s paralyzed by fear or shock.
Enjambment - he cannot stop talking about his memories until he stops and thinks at the caesura.
3 quotes for kamikaze + context
Kamikaze refers to Japanese suicide pilots in World War II.
“better way to die?” (Structure)→ Highlights the pilot’s internal conflict between duty and shame. Shows how much power his country has on the general population. Allowing himself to have time to thing
“little fishing boats strung out like bunting” (imagery)→ Suggests a moment of reflection that leads to his decision. Word little suggests how peaceful it is. Simile “bunting” has strong connections to happy celebrations.
“a tuna, the dark prince” - Metaphor + Personification: The tuna is described as the “dark prince”, displaying the fish as free and majestic. Allows him to further see a reason for living
Enjambment suggests he wants to stall his suicide as he wants to live..
3 quotes for remains + context
The poem is based on a real account of a British soldier who fought in the Iraq War
“His bloody life in my bloody hands.” (Language) → Suggests lasting guilt and trauma, linking to the idea of PTSD and personal responsibility. Repetition reinforces how the memory haunts the soldier, showing lasting trauma.
“His blood shadow”(imagery) = there is blood left of the floor from the body. The word shadow resembles how the trauma in his mind stays there after like the blood.
“He’s probably armed, probably not.” (structure) = he’s trying to find ways to make the guilt go away. Caesura suggests it is difficult for him to talk about
3 quotes for exposure + context
Exposure is set in WW1 where the weather was very harsh
“Iced east winds that knive us” imagery - the freezing air coming from Poland made the weather so cold it felt like stab wounds.
“Pause over half-known faces.” Structure (caesura) - the weather has killed many soldiers, the dead faces don’t look like the men they were.
“Their eyes are ice” language - metaphor.
