Analysis of "Remains" and Comparison
The essay then shifts to analyzing "Remains" by Simon Armitage, contrasting it with "Exposure." It notes that while "Exposure" focuses on environmental threats, "Remains" deals with human violence and its psychological impact.
The opening of "Remains" is discussed, highlighting the use of in medias res technique:
Quote: "On another occasion"
Definition: In medias res - A narrative technique that starts a story in the middle of the action.
This technique is interpreted as mirroring the confusion and lack of preparedness soldiers often experience in war situations. The essay suggests that this also foreshadows the soldier's future guilt and trauma.
The analysis then focuses on how "Remains" portrays the lasting impact of war experiences:
Quote: "He's here in my head when I close my eyes"
This line is interpreted as representing the inescapable nature of war memories and the internal conflict soldiers face post-combat. The essay identifies this as a depiction of PTSD, showing how war experiences continue to affect soldiers long after they leave the battlefield.
Example: The soldier's inability to escape the memory of the looter he killed illustrates the long-term psychological effects of combat experiences.
The essay concludes by comparing the overall tone of both poems. While "Remains" focuses on individual trauma, "Exposure" is described as embodying a more collective sense of hopelessness and abandonment felt by soldiers during wartime.
Highlight: Both poems effectively challenge glorified images of war by presenting the harsh realities and lasting impacts on soldiers, both during and after combat.
