Poppies Flashcards
1
Q
Form:
A
- Dramatic monologue emphasises how pain is caused by the forgotten mother
- First person narrative gets a strong impression of the mother’s emotions
- No regular rhyme/rhythm
- Long sentences & emjabment suggests Narrator is abosorbed in her own thoughts
- Caesurae show how she tries to get her emotions together
2
Q
Structure
A
- Free verse
- Chronological, describes preparations of the son leaving & then what the mother does afterwards
- Time frame is ambiguous-memories of the sons childhood are intermingled with memories of him leaving
3
Q
Use of the sense
A
- The mother’s separation from her son is emphasised by the way she can’t touch or hear him
- She touches other things & listens for his voice “on the wind” but this can’t replace her son
4
Q
War imagery
A
- Images of war & violence symbolises the sons new identity & the danger that he’s in
- Reinfrces to “armistice Sunday” & the “ war memorials” makes the reader question whether he’s alive or not
5
Q
Domestic imagery
A
-Images of war are mixed with poignant images of home & family life
6
Q
Feelings & attitudes
A
- Loss- Mother acts as if she’s lost her son- she is struggling to move on & accept the changes, there are hints that her son may be dead
- References to her son starting school allude to a different kind of loss that the mother have previously experienced
- Fear- The mother is anxious & fearful of her sons safety. Her anxiety has a physical effect on her. Poem focuses on the bravery & restraint of the people left behind when their loved ones go to war
- Freedom- Poem shows contrasting perspectives between the loss the mother feels & the freedom & excitement her son experiences
7
Q
Key points
A
- Relationship in the poem provides a deeper level of emphathy & the conflict between what was & what now is the relationship
- The peom uses a range of devices to capture the speakers sad & reflective tone
- The poem uses contrasting language & ideas to emphasise the conflict & turmoil of the matter
