Open the App

Subjects

37

14 Dec 2025

10 pages

Key Themes and Quotes in AQA Power and Conflict Poems

S

suzanna

@suzanna_bzve

These revision notes cover ten powerful poems about war, power,... Show more

Page 1
Page 2
Page 3
Page 4
Page 5
Page 6
Page 7
Page 8
Page 9
Page 10
1 / 10
Comparison: London
- Human power is
presented to be a
Sense of oppression
and suffering
- Both are critical of
material wealth and
inequalit

Tissue by Imtiaz Dharker

Ever wondered how something as fragile as paper can represent power and control over our lives? This poem uses tissue paper as a metaphor for how fragile human power really is.

The poem critiques material wealth and inequality whilst showing how humans think they're powerful but are actually controlled by forces like money and government. Key quotes like "might fly our lives like paper kites" use similes to show we're being controlled, whilst "sun shines through their borderlines" suggests that borders and segregation don't really exist in nature.

Dharker uses inconsistent rhythm and no rhyme scheme to mirror the fragility of paper itself. The poem is written in quatrains that visually look like pieces of paper on the page.

Quick Tip: Compare this to "London" - both poems criticise how money and power oppress ordinary people, but Tissue offers hope for change.

Comparison: London
- Human power is
presented to be a
Sense of oppression
and suffering
- Both are critical of
material wealth and
inequalit

Storm on the Island by Seamus Heaney

Imagine preparing for a storm that you know will be absolutely devastating - that's the reality Heaney captures in this poem about nature's overwhelming power.

The poem uses extended metaphor comparing a literal storm to "The Troubles" (the conflict in Northern Ireland). Powerful quotes like "spits like a tame cat turned savage" show how quickly peaceful situations can turn dangerous. The collective pronoun "we" throughout the poem emphasises community solidarity against the storm.

The structure mirrors the island's isolation - it's written as one solid stanza with consistent rhythm but no rhyme, like a fortress built to withstand attack. The conversational tone using second person ("you might think") draws readers into the experience.

Quick Tip: This poem works brilliantly compared to "The Prelude" - both show nature's power, but this one focuses on physical conflict whilst The Prelude explores psychological impact.

Comparison: London
- Human power is
presented to be a
Sense of oppression
and suffering
- Both are critical of
material wealth and
inequalit

Bayonet Charge by Ted Hughes

Picture a soldier in the middle of battle, terrified and confused - Hughes throws you straight into this chaotic war scene to show how brutal conflict really is.

The poem explores the psychological terror of war through quotes like "his terrors touch dynamite", using metaphor and alliteration to show the soldier's intense fear. "Dropped like luxuries in a yelling alarm" uses simile to show how basic human rights disappear in warfare.

Hughes uses enjambment to quicken the pace and starts in media res (middle of action) to make readers feel unprepared, just like the soldier. The repetition of "raw" emphasises the soldier's intense physical and emotional suffering.

Quick Tip: Compare this to "Remains" - both poems show war's psychological impact, but Bayonet Charge focuses on active battle whilst Remains deals with aftermath and PTSD.

Comparison: London
- Human power is
presented to be a
Sense of oppression
and suffering
- Both are critical of
material wealth and
inequalit

Kamikaze by Beatrice Garland

What happens when a soldier changes his mind about a suicide mission? This poem explores the devastating social consequences of choosing life over duty in wartime Japan.

The poem focuses on unconventional war victims - not the soldier himself, but his family who suffer social rejection. "A tuna, the dark prince, muscular, dangerous" shows that true power belongs to nature, not human warfare. The ironic line "swivelled towards the sun" suggests he may not live to see another day.

The structure reflects the somber tone with no rhyme scheme and inconsistent rhythm. The poem explores themes of duty versus survival, and how nature's power ultimately influences human decisions.

Quick Tip: Links perfectly with "Poppies" - both poems show how war affects families and loved ones, not just soldiers themselves.

Comparison: London
- Human power is
presented to be a
Sense of oppression
and suffering
- Both are critical of
material wealth and
inequalit

My Last Duchess by Robert Browning

Ever met someone so controlling they can't handle their partner talking to other people? The Duke in this poem represents the ultimate abuse of power in relationships and society.

Browning uses possessive pronouns to show the Duke's ownership of his wife, whilst the conversational tone makes his confession even more chilling. "That's my last Duchess painted on the wall" immediately objectifies her as decoration. The final quote about "Neptune... taming a seahorse" symbolises the power imbalance - he sees himself as a god controlling a helpless creature.

The poem's structure mirrors the Duke's control - written in iambic pentameter with no stanza breaks, the enjambment makes it flow like casual conversation, which makes his casual attitude to murder even more disturbing.

Quick Tip: Compare this to "Ozymandias" - both show how power corrupts, but the Duke's power is personal and domestic whilst Ozymandias represents political tyranny.

Comparison: London
- Human power is
presented to be a
Sense of oppression
and suffering
- Both are critical of
material wealth and
inequalit

Poppies by Jane Weir

What's it like for a mother watching her son go to war? Weir captures the heartbreaking reality of maternal grief through powerful imagery and personal memories.

The poem explores how war affects families left behind through quotes like "playground voice catching on the wind", showing nostalgic flashbacks to childhood. "Dove flew from a pear tree" uses symbolism - the dove peace/sonpeace/son leaving the tree (home) represents him going to war. Biblical allusion adds layers of meaning about sacrifice and loss.

Weir's background as a textile designer influences the poem's focus on fabric and texture. The inconsistent rhythm mirrors emotional instability, whilst the first-person perspective makes the grief feel immediate and personal.

Quick Tip: Perfect comparison with "Kamikaze" - both explore unconventional war victims and show how conflict's effects ripple through families and communities.

Comparison: London
- Human power is
presented to be a
Sense of oppression
and suffering
- Both are critical of
material wealth and
inequalit

Exposure by Wilfred Owen

Imagine being more afraid of freezing weather than enemy bullets - Owen's poem shows how nature becomes the real enemy for soldiers in World War One trenches.

Owen uses para-rhyme and pathetic fallacy to create a haunting atmosphere where the weather itself seems hostile. "Like twitching agonies among its brambles" uses disturbing similes to describe the wind. The metaphor "slowly our ghosts drag us home" suggests the soldiers are already dead inside, changed forever by war.

The consistent structure of five-line stanzas shows Owen trying to maintain control over overwhelming emotions. The dark tone and anti-government stance make this a powerful critique of military leadership that sends men to die.

Quick Tip: Compare this with "Charge of the Light Brigade" - both criticise military leadership, but Owen focuses on slow suffering whilst Tennyson examines heroic sacrifice.

Comparison: London
- Human power is
presented to be a
Sense of oppression
and suffering
- Both are critical of
material wealth and
inequalit

Remains by Simon Armitage

How do you live with yourself after killing someone who might have been innocent? Armitage explores the long-term psychological damage that haunts soldiers long after they return home.

The poem uses colloquial language and swearing to make the soldier's confession feel authentic and raw. "His bloody life in my bloody hands" shows the soldier taking accountability, whilst "probably armed, possibly not" reveals the moral uncertainty that tortures him. The graphic image of him "tossing his guts back into his body" shows how war dehumanises both victims and perpetrators.

Armitage structures this as a dramatic monologue using consistent quatrains and conversational dialect. The lack of rhyme scheme and use of sibilance creates pace that mirrors the soldier's racing thoughts and PTSD symptoms.

Quick Tip: Links brilliantly with "Bayonet Charge" - both show soldiers' fear, but this focuses on long-term psychological aftermath rather than immediate battle terror.

Comparison: London
- Human power is
presented to be a
Sense of oppression
and suffering
- Both are critical of
material wealth and
inequalit

Ozymandias by Percy Bysshe Shelley

Think you're powerful enough to be remembered forever? Shelley's poem destroys that illusion by showing how all human power eventually crumbles into nothing.

The poem uses dramatic irony to mock Ozymandias's arrogance - his boastful "Look on my works, ye mighty, and despair!" becomes pathetic when surrounded by empty desert. The biblical allusion in "king of kings" mocks his god-like pretensions. The caesura in "stand in the desert... near them, on the sands" separates human ambition from nature's permanence.

Shelley breaks traditional sonnet form with irregular rhyme scheme to mirror how Ozymandias's power structure has collapsed. As a Romantic poet, Shelley emphasises nature's supremacy over human achievement.

Quick Tip: Perfect contrast with "My Last Duchess" - both explore power's corruption, but this shows political tyranny whilst the Duke represents personal, domestic abuse of power.

Comparison: London
- Human power is
presented to be a
Sense of oppression
and suffering
- Both are critical of
material wealth and
inequalit

The Emigrée by Carol Rumens

What happens when you're forced to leave your homeland but can't stop loving it? This poem captures the complex emotions of refugees torn between memory and reality.

The poem explores how memory preserves identity even when governments try to erase it. "I can't get it off my tongue" shows how deeply homeland identity is embedded, whilst "my shadow falls as evidence of sunlight" uses metaphor to suggest hope surviving despite darkness. The opening "There was once a country..." creates a fairy-tale tone that emphasises loss.

Rumens uses lack of punctuation to show there's no closure or resolution for refugees. The conflicted feelings about the home country reflect how political oppression complicates love of homeland.

Quick Tip: Compare this with "Checking Out Me History" - both poems deal with identity and anti-establishment themes, exploring how power structures try to control cultural memory.



We thought you’d never ask...

What is the Knowunity AI companion?

Our AI Companion is a student-focused AI tool that offers more than just answers. Built on millions of Knowunity resources, it provides relevant information, personalised study plans, quizzes, and content directly in the chat, adapting to your individual learning journey.

Where can I download the Knowunity app?

You can download the app from Google Play Store and Apple App Store.

Is Knowunity really free of charge?

That's right! Enjoy free access to study content, connect with fellow students, and get instant help – all at your fingertips.

Most popular content: Theme

Most popular content in English Literature

English - inspector calls quotes and analysis

Quotes from every main character

English LiteratureEnglish Literature
10

Most popular content

English - inspector calls quotes and analysis

Quotes from every main character

English LiteratureEnglish Literature
10

Can't find what you're looking for? Explore other subjects.

Students love us — and so will you.

4.9/5

App Store

4.8/5

Google Play

The app is very easy to use and well designed. I have found everything I was looking for so far and have been able to learn a lot from the presentations! I will definitely use the app for a class assignment! And of course it also helps a lot as an inspiration.

Stefan S

iOS user

This app is really great. There are so many study notes and help [...]. My problem subject is French, for example, and the app has so many options for help. Thanks to this app, I have improved my French. I would recommend it to anyone.

Samantha Klich

Android user

Wow, I am really amazed. I just tried the app because I've seen it advertised many times and was absolutely stunned. This app is THE HELP you want for school and above all, it offers so many things, such as workouts and fact sheets, which have been VERY helpful to me personally.

Anna

iOS user

Best app on earth! no words because it’s too good

Thomas R

iOS user

Just amazing. Let's me revise 10x better, this app is a quick 10/10. I highly recommend it to anyone. I can watch and search for notes. I can save them in the subject folder. I can revise it any time when I come back. If you haven't tried this app, you're really missing out.

Basil

Android user

This app has made me feel so much more confident in my exam prep, not only through boosting my own self confidence through the features that allow you to connect with others and feel less alone, but also through the way the app itself is centred around making you feel better. It is easy to navigate, fun to use, and helpful to anyone struggling in absolutely any way.

David K

iOS user

The app's just great! All I have to do is enter the topic in the search bar and I get the response real fast. I don't have to watch 10 YouTube videos to understand something, so I'm saving my time. Highly recommended!

Sudenaz Ocak

Android user

In school I was really bad at maths but thanks to the app, I am doing better now. I am so grateful that you made the app.

Greenlight Bonnie

Android user

very reliable app to help and grow your ideas of Maths, English and other related topics in your works. please use this app if your struggling in areas, this app is key for that. wish I'd of done a review before. and it's also free so don't worry about that.

Rohan U

Android user

I know a lot of apps use fake accounts to boost their reviews but this app deserves it all. Originally I was getting 4 in my English exams and this time I got a grade 7. I didn’t even know about this app three days until the exam and it has helped A LOT. Please actually trust me and use it as I’m sure you too will see developments.

Xander S

iOS user

THE QUIZES AND FLASHCARDS ARE SO USEFUL AND I LOVE THE SCHOOLGPT. IT ALSO IS LITREALLY LIKE CHATGPT BUT SMARTER!! HELPED ME WITH MY MASCARA PROBLEMS TOO!! AS WELL AS MY REAL SUBJECTS ! DUHHH 😍😁😲🤑💗✨🎀😮

Elisha

iOS user

This apps acc the goat. I find revision so boring but this app makes it so easy to organize it all and then you can ask the freeeee ai to test yourself so good and you can easily upload your own stuff. highly recommend as someone taking mocks now

Paul T

iOS user

The app is very easy to use and well designed. I have found everything I was looking for so far and have been able to learn a lot from the presentations! I will definitely use the app for a class assignment! And of course it also helps a lot as an inspiration.

Stefan S

iOS user

This app is really great. There are so many study notes and help [...]. My problem subject is French, for example, and the app has so many options for help. Thanks to this app, I have improved my French. I would recommend it to anyone.

Samantha Klich

Android user

Wow, I am really amazed. I just tried the app because I've seen it advertised many times and was absolutely stunned. This app is THE HELP you want for school and above all, it offers so many things, such as workouts and fact sheets, which have been VERY helpful to me personally.

Anna

iOS user

Best app on earth! no words because it’s too good

Thomas R

iOS user

Just amazing. Let's me revise 10x better, this app is a quick 10/10. I highly recommend it to anyone. I can watch and search for notes. I can save them in the subject folder. I can revise it any time when I come back. If you haven't tried this app, you're really missing out.

Basil

Android user

This app has made me feel so much more confident in my exam prep, not only through boosting my own self confidence through the features that allow you to connect with others and feel less alone, but also through the way the app itself is centred around making you feel better. It is easy to navigate, fun to use, and helpful to anyone struggling in absolutely any way.

David K

iOS user

The app's just great! All I have to do is enter the topic in the search bar and I get the response real fast. I don't have to watch 10 YouTube videos to understand something, so I'm saving my time. Highly recommended!

Sudenaz Ocak

Android user

In school I was really bad at maths but thanks to the app, I am doing better now. I am so grateful that you made the app.

Greenlight Bonnie

Android user

very reliable app to help and grow your ideas of Maths, English and other related topics in your works. please use this app if your struggling in areas, this app is key for that. wish I'd of done a review before. and it's also free so don't worry about that.

Rohan U

Android user

I know a lot of apps use fake accounts to boost their reviews but this app deserves it all. Originally I was getting 4 in my English exams and this time I got a grade 7. I didn’t even know about this app three days until the exam and it has helped A LOT. Please actually trust me and use it as I’m sure you too will see developments.

Xander S

iOS user

THE QUIZES AND FLASHCARDS ARE SO USEFUL AND I LOVE THE SCHOOLGPT. IT ALSO IS LITREALLY LIKE CHATGPT BUT SMARTER!! HELPED ME WITH MY MASCARA PROBLEMS TOO!! AS WELL AS MY REAL SUBJECTS ! DUHHH 😍😁😲🤑💗✨🎀😮

Elisha

iOS user

This apps acc the goat. I find revision so boring but this app makes it so easy to organize it all and then you can ask the freeeee ai to test yourself so good and you can easily upload your own stuff. highly recommend as someone taking mocks now

Paul T

iOS user

 

English Literature

37

14 Dec 2025

10 pages

Key Themes and Quotes in AQA Power and Conflict Poems

S

suzanna

@suzanna_bzve

These revision notes cover ten powerful poems about war, power, and oppression that you need to know for your GCSE English Literature exam. Each poem explores different aspects of conflict - from the psychological damage of war to the abuse... Show more

Comparison: London
- Human power is
presented to be a
Sense of oppression
and suffering
- Both are critical of
material wealth and
inequalit

Sign up to see the contentIt's free!

Access to all documents

Improve your grades

Join milions of students

By signing up you accept Terms of Service and Privacy Policy

Tissue by Imtiaz Dharker

Ever wondered how something as fragile as paper can represent power and control over our lives? This poem uses tissue paper as a metaphor for how fragile human power really is.

The poem critiques material wealth and inequality whilst showing how humans think they're powerful but are actually controlled by forces like money and government. Key quotes like "might fly our lives like paper kites" use similes to show we're being controlled, whilst "sun shines through their borderlines" suggests that borders and segregation don't really exist in nature.

Dharker uses inconsistent rhythm and no rhyme scheme to mirror the fragility of paper itself. The poem is written in quatrains that visually look like pieces of paper on the page.

Quick Tip: Compare this to "London" - both poems criticise how money and power oppress ordinary people, but Tissue offers hope for change.

Comparison: London
- Human power is
presented to be a
Sense of oppression
and suffering
- Both are critical of
material wealth and
inequalit

Sign up to see the contentIt's free!

Access to all documents

Improve your grades

Join milions of students

By signing up you accept Terms of Service and Privacy Policy

Storm on the Island by Seamus Heaney

Imagine preparing for a storm that you know will be absolutely devastating - that's the reality Heaney captures in this poem about nature's overwhelming power.

The poem uses extended metaphor comparing a literal storm to "The Troubles" (the conflict in Northern Ireland). Powerful quotes like "spits like a tame cat turned savage" show how quickly peaceful situations can turn dangerous. The collective pronoun "we" throughout the poem emphasises community solidarity against the storm.

The structure mirrors the island's isolation - it's written as one solid stanza with consistent rhythm but no rhyme, like a fortress built to withstand attack. The conversational tone using second person ("you might think") draws readers into the experience.

Quick Tip: This poem works brilliantly compared to "The Prelude" - both show nature's power, but this one focuses on physical conflict whilst The Prelude explores psychological impact.

Comparison: London
- Human power is
presented to be a
Sense of oppression
and suffering
- Both are critical of
material wealth and
inequalit

Sign up to see the contentIt's free!

Access to all documents

Improve your grades

Join milions of students

By signing up you accept Terms of Service and Privacy Policy

Bayonet Charge by Ted Hughes

Picture a soldier in the middle of battle, terrified and confused - Hughes throws you straight into this chaotic war scene to show how brutal conflict really is.

The poem explores the psychological terror of war through quotes like "his terrors touch dynamite", using metaphor and alliteration to show the soldier's intense fear. "Dropped like luxuries in a yelling alarm" uses simile to show how basic human rights disappear in warfare.

Hughes uses enjambment to quicken the pace and starts in media res (middle of action) to make readers feel unprepared, just like the soldier. The repetition of "raw" emphasises the soldier's intense physical and emotional suffering.

Quick Tip: Compare this to "Remains" - both poems show war's psychological impact, but Bayonet Charge focuses on active battle whilst Remains deals with aftermath and PTSD.

Comparison: London
- Human power is
presented to be a
Sense of oppression
and suffering
- Both are critical of
material wealth and
inequalit

Sign up to see the contentIt's free!

Access to all documents

Improve your grades

Join milions of students

By signing up you accept Terms of Service and Privacy Policy

Kamikaze by Beatrice Garland

What happens when a soldier changes his mind about a suicide mission? This poem explores the devastating social consequences of choosing life over duty in wartime Japan.

The poem focuses on unconventional war victims - not the soldier himself, but his family who suffer social rejection. "A tuna, the dark prince, muscular, dangerous" shows that true power belongs to nature, not human warfare. The ironic line "swivelled towards the sun" suggests he may not live to see another day.

The structure reflects the somber tone with no rhyme scheme and inconsistent rhythm. The poem explores themes of duty versus survival, and how nature's power ultimately influences human decisions.

Quick Tip: Links perfectly with "Poppies" - both poems show how war affects families and loved ones, not just soldiers themselves.

Comparison: London
- Human power is
presented to be a
Sense of oppression
and suffering
- Both are critical of
material wealth and
inequalit

Sign up to see the contentIt's free!

Access to all documents

Improve your grades

Join milions of students

By signing up you accept Terms of Service and Privacy Policy

My Last Duchess by Robert Browning

Ever met someone so controlling they can't handle their partner talking to other people? The Duke in this poem represents the ultimate abuse of power in relationships and society.

Browning uses possessive pronouns to show the Duke's ownership of his wife, whilst the conversational tone makes his confession even more chilling. "That's my last Duchess painted on the wall" immediately objectifies her as decoration. The final quote about "Neptune... taming a seahorse" symbolises the power imbalance - he sees himself as a god controlling a helpless creature.

The poem's structure mirrors the Duke's control - written in iambic pentameter with no stanza breaks, the enjambment makes it flow like casual conversation, which makes his casual attitude to murder even more disturbing.

Quick Tip: Compare this to "Ozymandias" - both show how power corrupts, but the Duke's power is personal and domestic whilst Ozymandias represents political tyranny.

Comparison: London
- Human power is
presented to be a
Sense of oppression
and suffering
- Both are critical of
material wealth and
inequalit

Sign up to see the contentIt's free!

Access to all documents

Improve your grades

Join milions of students

By signing up you accept Terms of Service and Privacy Policy

Poppies by Jane Weir

What's it like for a mother watching her son go to war? Weir captures the heartbreaking reality of maternal grief through powerful imagery and personal memories.

The poem explores how war affects families left behind through quotes like "playground voice catching on the wind", showing nostalgic flashbacks to childhood. "Dove flew from a pear tree" uses symbolism - the dove peace/sonpeace/son leaving the tree (home) represents him going to war. Biblical allusion adds layers of meaning about sacrifice and loss.

Weir's background as a textile designer influences the poem's focus on fabric and texture. The inconsistent rhythm mirrors emotional instability, whilst the first-person perspective makes the grief feel immediate and personal.

Quick Tip: Perfect comparison with "Kamikaze" - both explore unconventional war victims and show how conflict's effects ripple through families and communities.

Comparison: London
- Human power is
presented to be a
Sense of oppression
and suffering
- Both are critical of
material wealth and
inequalit

Sign up to see the contentIt's free!

Access to all documents

Improve your grades

Join milions of students

By signing up you accept Terms of Service and Privacy Policy

Exposure by Wilfred Owen

Imagine being more afraid of freezing weather than enemy bullets - Owen's poem shows how nature becomes the real enemy for soldiers in World War One trenches.

Owen uses para-rhyme and pathetic fallacy to create a haunting atmosphere where the weather itself seems hostile. "Like twitching agonies among its brambles" uses disturbing similes to describe the wind. The metaphor "slowly our ghosts drag us home" suggests the soldiers are already dead inside, changed forever by war.

The consistent structure of five-line stanzas shows Owen trying to maintain control over overwhelming emotions. The dark tone and anti-government stance make this a powerful critique of military leadership that sends men to die.

Quick Tip: Compare this with "Charge of the Light Brigade" - both criticise military leadership, but Owen focuses on slow suffering whilst Tennyson examines heroic sacrifice.

Comparison: London
- Human power is
presented to be a
Sense of oppression
and suffering
- Both are critical of
material wealth and
inequalit

Sign up to see the contentIt's free!

Access to all documents

Improve your grades

Join milions of students

By signing up you accept Terms of Service and Privacy Policy

Remains by Simon Armitage

How do you live with yourself after killing someone who might have been innocent? Armitage explores the long-term psychological damage that haunts soldiers long after they return home.

The poem uses colloquial language and swearing to make the soldier's confession feel authentic and raw. "His bloody life in my bloody hands" shows the soldier taking accountability, whilst "probably armed, possibly not" reveals the moral uncertainty that tortures him. The graphic image of him "tossing his guts back into his body" shows how war dehumanises both victims and perpetrators.

Armitage structures this as a dramatic monologue using consistent quatrains and conversational dialect. The lack of rhyme scheme and use of sibilance creates pace that mirrors the soldier's racing thoughts and PTSD symptoms.

Quick Tip: Links brilliantly with "Bayonet Charge" - both show soldiers' fear, but this focuses on long-term psychological aftermath rather than immediate battle terror.

Comparison: London
- Human power is
presented to be a
Sense of oppression
and suffering
- Both are critical of
material wealth and
inequalit

Sign up to see the contentIt's free!

Access to all documents

Improve your grades

Join milions of students

By signing up you accept Terms of Service and Privacy Policy

Ozymandias by Percy Bysshe Shelley

Think you're powerful enough to be remembered forever? Shelley's poem destroys that illusion by showing how all human power eventually crumbles into nothing.

The poem uses dramatic irony to mock Ozymandias's arrogance - his boastful "Look on my works, ye mighty, and despair!" becomes pathetic when surrounded by empty desert. The biblical allusion in "king of kings" mocks his god-like pretensions. The caesura in "stand in the desert... near them, on the sands" separates human ambition from nature's permanence.

Shelley breaks traditional sonnet form with irregular rhyme scheme to mirror how Ozymandias's power structure has collapsed. As a Romantic poet, Shelley emphasises nature's supremacy over human achievement.

Quick Tip: Perfect contrast with "My Last Duchess" - both explore power's corruption, but this shows political tyranny whilst the Duke represents personal, domestic abuse of power.

Comparison: London
- Human power is
presented to be a
Sense of oppression
and suffering
- Both are critical of
material wealth and
inequalit

Sign up to see the contentIt's free!

Access to all documents

Improve your grades

Join milions of students

By signing up you accept Terms of Service and Privacy Policy

The Emigrée by Carol Rumens

What happens when you're forced to leave your homeland but can't stop loving it? This poem captures the complex emotions of refugees torn between memory and reality.

The poem explores how memory preserves identity even when governments try to erase it. "I can't get it off my tongue" shows how deeply homeland identity is embedded, whilst "my shadow falls as evidence of sunlight" uses metaphor to suggest hope surviving despite darkness. The opening "There was once a country..." creates a fairy-tale tone that emphasises loss.

Rumens uses lack of punctuation to show there's no closure or resolution for refugees. The conflicted feelings about the home country reflect how political oppression complicates love of homeland.

Quick Tip: Compare this with "Checking Out Me History" - both poems deal with identity and anti-establishment themes, exploring how power structures try to control cultural memory.

We thought you’d never ask...

What is the Knowunity AI companion?

Our AI Companion is a student-focused AI tool that offers more than just answers. Built on millions of Knowunity resources, it provides relevant information, personalised study plans, quizzes, and content directly in the chat, adapting to your individual learning journey.

Where can I download the Knowunity app?

You can download the app from Google Play Store and Apple App Store.

Is Knowunity really free of charge?

That's right! Enjoy free access to study content, connect with fellow students, and get instant help – all at your fingertips.

0

Smart Tools NEW

Transform this note into: ✓ 50+ Practice Questions ✓ Interactive Flashcards ✓ Full Mock Exam ✓ Essay Outlines

Mock Exam
Quiz
Flashcards
Essay

Most popular content: Theme

Most popular content in English Literature

English - inspector calls quotes and analysis

Quotes from every main character

English LiteratureEnglish Literature
10

Most popular content

English - inspector calls quotes and analysis

Quotes from every main character

English LiteratureEnglish Literature
10

Can't find what you're looking for? Explore other subjects.

Students love us — and so will you.

4.9/5

App Store

4.8/5

Google Play

The app is very easy to use and well designed. I have found everything I was looking for so far and have been able to learn a lot from the presentations! I will definitely use the app for a class assignment! And of course it also helps a lot as an inspiration.

Stefan S

iOS user

This app is really great. There are so many study notes and help [...]. My problem subject is French, for example, and the app has so many options for help. Thanks to this app, I have improved my French. I would recommend it to anyone.

Samantha Klich

Android user

Wow, I am really amazed. I just tried the app because I've seen it advertised many times and was absolutely stunned. This app is THE HELP you want for school and above all, it offers so many things, such as workouts and fact sheets, which have been VERY helpful to me personally.

Anna

iOS user

Best app on earth! no words because it’s too good

Thomas R

iOS user

Just amazing. Let's me revise 10x better, this app is a quick 10/10. I highly recommend it to anyone. I can watch and search for notes. I can save them in the subject folder. I can revise it any time when I come back. If you haven't tried this app, you're really missing out.

Basil

Android user

This app has made me feel so much more confident in my exam prep, not only through boosting my own self confidence through the features that allow you to connect with others and feel less alone, but also through the way the app itself is centred around making you feel better. It is easy to navigate, fun to use, and helpful to anyone struggling in absolutely any way.

David K

iOS user

The app's just great! All I have to do is enter the topic in the search bar and I get the response real fast. I don't have to watch 10 YouTube videos to understand something, so I'm saving my time. Highly recommended!

Sudenaz Ocak

Android user

In school I was really bad at maths but thanks to the app, I am doing better now. I am so grateful that you made the app.

Greenlight Bonnie

Android user

very reliable app to help and grow your ideas of Maths, English and other related topics in your works. please use this app if your struggling in areas, this app is key for that. wish I'd of done a review before. and it's also free so don't worry about that.

Rohan U

Android user

I know a lot of apps use fake accounts to boost their reviews but this app deserves it all. Originally I was getting 4 in my English exams and this time I got a grade 7. I didn’t even know about this app three days until the exam and it has helped A LOT. Please actually trust me and use it as I’m sure you too will see developments.

Xander S

iOS user

THE QUIZES AND FLASHCARDS ARE SO USEFUL AND I LOVE THE SCHOOLGPT. IT ALSO IS LITREALLY LIKE CHATGPT BUT SMARTER!! HELPED ME WITH MY MASCARA PROBLEMS TOO!! AS WELL AS MY REAL SUBJECTS ! DUHHH 😍😁😲🤑💗✨🎀😮

Elisha

iOS user

This apps acc the goat. I find revision so boring but this app makes it so easy to organize it all and then you can ask the freeeee ai to test yourself so good and you can easily upload your own stuff. highly recommend as someone taking mocks now

Paul T

iOS user

The app is very easy to use and well designed. I have found everything I was looking for so far and have been able to learn a lot from the presentations! I will definitely use the app for a class assignment! And of course it also helps a lot as an inspiration.

Stefan S

iOS user

This app is really great. There are so many study notes and help [...]. My problem subject is French, for example, and the app has so many options for help. Thanks to this app, I have improved my French. I would recommend it to anyone.

Samantha Klich

Android user

Wow, I am really amazed. I just tried the app because I've seen it advertised many times and was absolutely stunned. This app is THE HELP you want for school and above all, it offers so many things, such as workouts and fact sheets, which have been VERY helpful to me personally.

Anna

iOS user

Best app on earth! no words because it’s too good

Thomas R

iOS user

Just amazing. Let's me revise 10x better, this app is a quick 10/10. I highly recommend it to anyone. I can watch and search for notes. I can save them in the subject folder. I can revise it any time when I come back. If you haven't tried this app, you're really missing out.

Basil

Android user

This app has made me feel so much more confident in my exam prep, not only through boosting my own self confidence through the features that allow you to connect with others and feel less alone, but also through the way the app itself is centred around making you feel better. It is easy to navigate, fun to use, and helpful to anyone struggling in absolutely any way.

David K

iOS user

The app's just great! All I have to do is enter the topic in the search bar and I get the response real fast. I don't have to watch 10 YouTube videos to understand something, so I'm saving my time. Highly recommended!

Sudenaz Ocak

Android user

In school I was really bad at maths but thanks to the app, I am doing better now. I am so grateful that you made the app.

Greenlight Bonnie

Android user

very reliable app to help and grow your ideas of Maths, English and other related topics in your works. please use this app if your struggling in areas, this app is key for that. wish I'd of done a review before. and it's also free so don't worry about that.

Rohan U

Android user

I know a lot of apps use fake accounts to boost their reviews but this app deserves it all. Originally I was getting 4 in my English exams and this time I got a grade 7. I didn’t even know about this app three days until the exam and it has helped A LOT. Please actually trust me and use it as I’m sure you too will see developments.

Xander S

iOS user

THE QUIZES AND FLASHCARDS ARE SO USEFUL AND I LOVE THE SCHOOLGPT. IT ALSO IS LITREALLY LIKE CHATGPT BUT SMARTER!! HELPED ME WITH MY MASCARA PROBLEMS TOO!! AS WELL AS MY REAL SUBJECTS ! DUHHH 😍😁😲🤑💗✨🎀😮

Elisha

iOS user

This apps acc the goat. I find revision so boring but this app makes it so easy to organize it all and then you can ask the freeeee ai to test yourself so good and you can easily upload your own stuff. highly recommend as someone taking mocks now

Paul T

iOS user