Remains Flashcards
“Probably armed, probably not”
Religion - shows the speakers doubts - contrasts strongly with the definite action that follows
“It rips through his life”
Violent metaphor - contrasts with the colloquial style of the first two stanzas
“Tosses his guts back into his body”
Casual tone - cold action - no respect for dead man “tosses” - make it sound like he’s rubbish
“End of story, except not really”
Volta - changes tone
“His Blood shadow”
Imagery - always following him - can’t get rid of the shadow
“I see”
Repetition - mimics flashbacks
Graphic imagery
Man’s death is described in gory detail - his “guts” spilt into the ground - imagery shows reality of war
Religion
Words are repeated to reflect the way that the killing is repeated in the speakers mind
Feelings/attitudes
Nonchalance - at beginning very casual attitude towards the death of the man - start of poem is anecdotal
Guilt - can’t get the memory out of his mind - tormented by thoughts of the man - wandering is he was “armed” or not - poems ends with “blood” on his hands - shows guilt
Who wrote remains
Simon armitage
