Remains Flashcards
(20 cards)
Who wrote Remains?
Simon Armitage
What is Remains about?
A soldier’s traumatic memory of killing a man during war.
Which conflict is referenced in Remains?
The Iraq War, though it’s not explicitly named.
How is the structure of Remains significant?
It shifts from casual storytelling to disturbing reflection, mirroring trauma.
What does “possibly armed, possibly not” suggest in Remains?
Uncertainty and guilt about the soldier’s actions.
What effect does colloquial language have in Remains?
Makes the poem feel like a personal, informal confession.
What is the meaning of “pain itself, the image of agony” in Remains?
The speaker is haunted by the suffering of the man he killed.
How does Armitage show the soldier’s guilt?
Through repetition, violent imagery, and psychological distress.
What is the significance of enjambment in Remains?
It reflects the soldier’s uncontrolled, chaotic thoughts.
How is contrast used in Remains?
Ordinary life vs. horrific memories—the soldier can’t escape them.
What does “blood-shadow” symbolize in Remains?
The lasting impact of trauma and guilt.
How does Remains explore PTSD?
The soldier is mentally trapped, reliving the event repeatedly.
What happens in the final stanza of Remains?
The speaker realizes the guilt will stay with him forever.
What is the tone of Remains?
Shifts from casual to disturbing, ending in hopelessness.
Why is the title Remains significant?
It refers to physical remains of the body and emotional remains of trauma.
How does the speaker describe the dead man?
Initially casually, but later with haunting, regretful imagery.
What does “sun-stunned, sand-smothered” suggest?
The man’s lifeless body contrasts with the environment around him.
How does Armitage use violent imagery?
Graphic descriptions emphasize the brutality of war.
How does Remains compare to Exposure in portraying war’s impact on soldiers?
Remains focuses on psychological trauma and guilt from killing, while Exposure emphasizes physical suffering and emotional numbness due to war.
How do Remains and London explore suffering caused by power?
Remains shows personal trauma from war, while London critiques societal oppression by powerful institutions.
