poppies

Question 1

What does the imagery of poppies symbolize in the text?

Answer 1

An ominous reminder that war kills individuals, making loss personal

Poppies are often associated with remembrance and mourning for soldiers who have died in war.

Question 2

What emotional state is suggested by the mother’s use of caesurae?

Answer 2

Her attempt to stay in control and not get carried away with her emotions

Question 3

What does the term ‘felt’ indicate about the mother’s tone?

Answer 3

She speaks softly and alludes to her domesticity

Question 4

How does the mother’s composure change in the poem?

Answer 4

It briefly disappears, as shown by the ‘melting’ of her words

Question 5

What perspective does the simile provide in the poem?

Answer 5

It shows the world from the son’s perspective, making it sound exciting and full of precious experiences

Question 6

What dual symbolism do doves represent in the poem?

Answer 6

Peace and mourning

Question 7

What does the battle imagery suggest about the mother’s feelings?

Answer 7

It makes her sound vulnerable and reminds her of the risks her son faces

Question 8

What does the strong visual image of something small and beautiful represent?

Answer 8

Her son in a vast space

Question 9

What action does the mother take three days before Armistice Sunday?

Answer 9

She places poppies on individual war graves

Question 10

What does repetition emphasize in the context of mourning?

Answer 10

The parallel between national and personal mourning and remembrance

Question 11

What does the sellotape bandaged around the mother’s hand symbolize?

Answer 11

Her attempt to prepare for the emotional moment

Question 12

What does the imagery of a winter coat and reinforcements suggest?

Answer 12

The mother’s nervousness and physical feelings of anxiety

Question 13

What does the phrase ‘intoxicated’ hint about the son’s decision?

Answer 13

A lack of control in giving up his life to join the army

Question 14

What does the phrase ‘released a song bird from its cage’ symbolize?

Answer 14

Her son leaving

Question 15

How does the mother’s wish for her son’s safety manifest in the poem?

Answer 15

Through the strong visual image of the war memorial

Question 16

What does the alliteration in the poem echo?

Answer 16

The way she is straining to hear her son

Question 17

What does the glossary define ‘Armistice’ as?

Answer 17

An agreement to end fighting, specifically at the end of World War One

Question 18

What is the function of bias binding in the context of the poem?

Answer 18

It could indicate the son’s rank or regiment

Question 19

Who is Jane Weir?

Answer 19

A writer and textile designer from Manchester and Italy, who has lived in Belfast

Question 20

What is the central theme of the poem?

Answer 20

A mother’s emotional reaction to her son leaving home, seemingly to join the army

Question 21

How does the mother feel about her son’s departure?

Answer 21

Sad, lonely, and scared for his safety

Question 22

What action does the mother take to prepare her son for leaving?

Answer 22

Helps him smarten his uniform

Question 23

What does the mother do after her son leaves?

Answer 23

Visits places that remind her of him, trying to find traces of him

Question 24

What narrative style is used in the poem?

Answer 24

First-person narrative

Question 25

How does the poem's form affect the reader's understanding of the mother's emotions?

Answer 25

It provides a strong impression of her emotions through irregular rhyme and rhythm

Question 26

What literary techniques indicate the mother's absorbed thoughts?

Answer 26

Long sentences and enjambment

Question 27

What do caesurae represent in the poem?

Answer 27

The mother's struggle to hold her emotions together

Question 28

What is the structure of the poem?

Answer 28

Chronological, with an ambiguous time frame intermingling memories

Question 29

How does the mother experience her separation from her son?

Answer 29

She cannot touch or hear him, which emphasizes her loss

Question 30

What symbols are used to represent the son's new identity?

Answer 30

Images of war and violence

Question 31

What does 'Armistice Sunday' and 'war memorial' reference imply?

Answer 31

They make the reader question the son's survival

Question 32

How are domestic imagery and war imagery contrasted in the poem?

Answer 32

Images of war are mixed with poignant images of home and family life

Question 33

What feeling does the mother exhibit regarding her son?

Answer 33

Loss, struggling to move on and accept changes

Question 34

What does the mother's anxiety indicate?

Answer 34

Her fear for her son's safety and its physical effects on her

Question 35

What contrasting perspectives does the poem explore?

Answer 35

The mother's loss versus the son's freedom and excitement

Question 36

Is the poem primarily about war or family?

Answer 36

It explores both themes

Question 37

What impression does the mother give through her actions?

Answer 37

Her deep emotional connection and struggle with loss

Question 38

Does the poem provide clues about the son's fate?

Answer 38

Yes, it raises questions about whether the son is still alive

Question 39

What key themes are presented in the poem?

Answer 39

Effects of conflict, loss and absence, identity

Question 40

How does the poem relate to other poems about conflict?

Answer 40

It can be compared to 'War Photographer' and 'Kamikaze'

Question 41

What is the primary theme of the poem 'Poppies'?

Answer 41

Remembrance, loss, and suffering ## Footnote The poem explores the emotional impact of war on those left behind, particularly mothers.

Question 42

What literary form is 'Poppies' written in?

Answer 42

Dramatic monologue ## Footnote It is a monologue spoken by a mother addressing her son.

Question 43

What does the dove symbolize in the poem?

Answer 43

Peace and possibly the son’s spirit ## Footnote Doves are often associated with peace and can represent messages from the deceased.

Question 44

How does the poem depict the narrator's emotional struggle?

Answer 44

Through varied stanza lengths and frequent enjambment ## Footnote The form reflects her attempts to maintain control while grappling with grief.

Question 45

What is a key metaphor used in 'Poppies' related to the mother's emotions?

Answer 45

Releasing a songbird from its cage ## Footnote This metaphor can reflect the mother's release of pent-up emotion.

Question 46

What does the phrase 'intoxicated with enthusiasm' refer to?

Answer 46

The son's excitement about leaving for war ## Footnote It uses metaphor to describe his eagerness.

Question 47

What does the use of monosyllabic words convey in the poem?

Answer 47

A 'plodding' sensation, like heavy steps ## Footnote This choice of words emphasizes the weight of the mother's emotions.

Question 48

What is the effect of excessive commas in the poem?

Answer 48

Creates frequent caesurae, suggesting slow motion ## Footnote This technique mirrors the emotional weight of the moment.

Question 49

True or False: The poem 'Poppies' is structured tightly with no variations in stanza length.

Answer 49

False ## Footnote The poem features stanzas of varying lengths.

Question 50

Fill in the blank: The poem 'Poppies' deals with the sense of loss and suffering felt by the __________ of war.

Answer 50

secondary victims ## Footnote These are individuals like family members left behind.

Question 51

What does the phrase 'the world overflowing like a treasure chest' describe?

Answer 51

The son's excitement before leaving ## Footnote It uses simile to illustrate abundance and joy.

Question 52

What emotional state does the mother try to convey when she 'steeled' her face?

Answer 52

Bravery ## Footnote She attempts to appear strong despite her internal struggle.

Question 53

What literary device is used in the phrase 'pulled freely against the sky'?

Answer 53

Oxymoron ## Footnote It highlights the contrast between freedom and the mother's desire to hold on to her son.

Question 54

What does the mother's action of 'tracing his name on the memorial' signify?

Answer 54

Her longing for her son ## Footnote This act represents both remembrance and grief.

Question 55

What is the significance of the 'wishbone' metaphor in the poem?

Answer 55

It symbolizes brokenness and the act of making a wish ## Footnote Wishbones are traditionally broken to make wishes, paralleling the mother's emotional state.