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Britain & the wider world: 1745 -1901
1l the quest for political stability: germany, 1871-1991
The cold war
Inter-war germany
Medieval period: 1066 -1509
2d religious conflict and the church in england, c1529-c1570
2o democracy and nazism: germany, 1918-1945
1f industrialisation and the people: britain, c1783-1885
1c the tudors: england, 1485-1603
2m wars and welfare: britain in transition, 1906-1957
World war two & the holocaust
2n revolution and dictatorship: russia, 1917-1953
2s the making of modern britain, 1951-2007
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Britain: 1509 -1745
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English Literature
6 Dec 2025
108
6 pages
Sophie Bailey @sophiebailey_srun
These five powerful poems explore themes of conflict, memory, and human experience through different voices and perspectives. From... Show more
Ever been caught in a really bad storm and felt completely helpless? That's exactly what Heaney captures in this brilliant dramatic monologue about islanders facing nature's fury.
The poem uses blank verse (unrhymed iambic pentameter) which makes it sound like natural conversation - as if someone's actually telling you about their experience. Written as one continuous stanza, it mirrors how the storm itself is relentless and unbroken.
What's clever is how the poem starts calmly with phrases like "you know what I mean" - making you feel included. But then there's a massive shift with "But no when it begins..." where everything changes from peaceful to chaotic. The military imagery like "bombarded" and "salvo" makes the storm feel like an attack.
Key insight The final line reveals that fear itself can be "a huge nothing" - sometimes what we can't see is scarier than what we can.
This poem hits hard because it's about every parent's worst nightmare - sending your child off to war. Weir writes from a mother's perspective, making it incredibly personal and heartbreaking.
The free verse structure reflects how grief doesn't follow rules - emotions spill everywhere, just like the enjambment that carries thoughts across lines. The timeline jumps between memories, showing how trauma messes with time.
The symbolism of poppies is perfect - they represent both remembrance and the violence of war. Notice how domestic imagery like "sellotape bandaged" mixes home life with battlefield imagery. The sensory language makes you feel her memories - "graze my nose," "your playground voice."
Remember The dove imagery "Released a song bird from its cage" shows both pride in letting him go and the pain of losing control.
This poem is Agard's powerful protest against the whitewashed education system that ignored black history. He's literally rewriting the narrative and reclaiming his identity.
The structure is genius - British history gets short, mocking lines ("1066 and all dat"), while black historical figures get beautiful, flowing poetry in italics. The contrast shows which stories deserve real respect and celebration.
Agard uses phonetic spelling like "Dem tell me" to assert his cultural voice and reject colonial norms. He references amazing figures like Toussaint L'Ouverture and Mary Seacole who were hidden from his education.
The repetition of "Dem tell me" creates an accusatory rhythm - you can almost hear the frustration building. By the end, he's "carving out me identity" - taking active control of his own story.
Power move Using Caribbean dialect isn't 'wrong English' - it's a deliberate choice to celebrate his heritage and challenge expectations.
This brutal poem shows how PTSD destroys soldiers long after they return home. Armitage doesn't sugar-coat anything - the psychological damage is laid bare.
The colloquial language like "one of them legs it" makes it feel terrifyingly real. Starting with "we" (shared experience), it shifts to "my" (personal torment), showing how guilt becomes individual burden. The volta at "End of story, except not really" reveals the harsh truth - it never really ends.
Graphic imagery like "I see every round as it rips through his life" shows how vivid traumatic memories remain. The blood metaphor - "His blood-shadow stays on the street" - represents guilt that can't be washed away.
The repetition of "probably armed, possibly not" captures the moral conflict and doubt that haunts him. The final wordplay "His bloody life in my bloody hands" works on multiple levels - literal blood, anger, and responsibility.
Hard truth The casual tone describing horrific events shows emotional numbness - a common trauma response.
When analysing these poems for exams, remember each uses dramatic monologue to create intimate, personal voices. They all deal with conflict but from completely different angles - nature, war, education, and trauma.
Form matters - notice how Heaney's blank verse sounds conversational, while Weir's free verse reflects emotional chaos. Agard's mixed dialects assert cultural identity, and Armitage's colloquial language creates brutal realism.
Structure reveals meaning - look for voltas (turning points), repetition that builds intensity, and how enjambment affects pace and emotion. The way lines break and flow always connects to the poem's themes.
Language techniques work together - military imagery, sensory details, metaphors, and symbolism all build the emotional impact. Don't just spot techniques - explain how they make you feel and what they reveal about the speaker's experience.
Exam tip Compare how different poets handle similar themes - this shows deeper understanding and gets you higher marks.
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.
You can download the app from Google Play Store and Apple App Store.
That's right! Enjoy free access to study content, connect with fellow students, and get instant help – all at your fingertips.
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Transform this note into: ✓ 50+ Practice Questions ✓ Interactive Flashcards ✓ Full Mock Exam ✓ Essay Outlines
Quotes from every main character
English LiteratureQuotes from every main character
English LiteratureApp Store
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
Sophie Bailey
@sophiebailey_srun
These five powerful poems explore themes of conflict, memory, and human experience through different voices and perspectives. From soldiers dealing with trauma to mothers grieving lost sons, each poem uses unique techniques to make you feel the raw emotions and... Show more
Access to all documents
Improve your grades
Join milions of students
By signing up you accept Terms of Service and Privacy Policy
Ever been caught in a really bad storm and felt completely helpless? That's exactly what Heaney captures in this brilliant dramatic monologue about islanders facing nature's fury.
The poem uses blank verse (unrhymed iambic pentameter) which makes it sound like natural conversation - as if someone's actually telling you about their experience. Written as one continuous stanza, it mirrors how the storm itself is relentless and unbroken.
What's clever is how the poem starts calmly with phrases like "you know what I mean" - making you feel included. But then there's a massive shift with "But no: when it begins..." where everything changes from peaceful to chaotic. The military imagery like "bombarded" and "salvo" makes the storm feel like an attack.
Key insight: The final line reveals that fear itself can be "a huge nothing" - sometimes what we can't see is scarier than what we can.
Access to all documents
Improve your grades
Join milions of students
By signing up you accept Terms of Service and Privacy Policy
This poem hits hard because it's about every parent's worst nightmare - sending your child off to war. Weir writes from a mother's perspective, making it incredibly personal and heartbreaking.
The free verse structure reflects how grief doesn't follow rules - emotions spill everywhere, just like the enjambment that carries thoughts across lines. The timeline jumps between memories, showing how trauma messes with time.
The symbolism of poppies is perfect - they represent both remembrance and the violence of war. Notice how domestic imagery like "sellotape bandaged" mixes home life with battlefield imagery. The sensory language makes you feel her memories - "graze my nose," "your playground voice."
Remember: The dove imagery "Released a song bird from its cage" shows both pride in letting him go and the pain of losing control.
Access to all documents
Improve your grades
Join milions of students
By signing up you accept Terms of Service and Privacy Policy
This poem is Agard's powerful protest against the whitewashed education system that ignored black history. He's literally rewriting the narrative and reclaiming his identity.
The structure is genius - British history gets short, mocking lines ("1066 and all dat"), while black historical figures get beautiful, flowing poetry in italics. The contrast shows which stories deserve real respect and celebration.
Agard uses phonetic spelling like "Dem tell me" to assert his cultural voice and reject colonial norms. He references amazing figures like Toussaint L'Ouverture and Mary Seacole who were hidden from his education.
The repetition of "Dem tell me" creates an accusatory rhythm - you can almost hear the frustration building. By the end, he's "carving out me identity" - taking active control of his own story.
Power move: Using Caribbean dialect isn't 'wrong English' - it's a deliberate choice to celebrate his heritage and challenge expectations.
Access to all documents
Improve your grades
Join milions of students
By signing up you accept Terms of Service and Privacy Policy
This brutal poem shows how PTSD destroys soldiers long after they return home. Armitage doesn't sugar-coat anything - the psychological damage is laid bare.
The colloquial language like "one of them legs it" makes it feel terrifyingly real. Starting with "we" (shared experience), it shifts to "my" (personal torment), showing how guilt becomes individual burden. The volta at "End of story, except not really" reveals the harsh truth - it never really ends.
Graphic imagery like "I see every round as it rips through his life" shows how vivid traumatic memories remain. The blood metaphor - "His blood-shadow stays on the street" - represents guilt that can't be washed away.
The repetition of "probably armed, possibly not" captures the moral conflict and doubt that haunts him. The final wordplay "His bloody life in my bloody hands" works on multiple levels - literal blood, anger, and responsibility.
Hard truth: The casual tone describing horrific events shows emotional numbness - a common trauma response.
Access to all documents
Improve your grades
Join milions of students
By signing up you accept Terms of Service and Privacy Policy
When analysing these poems for exams, remember each uses dramatic monologue to create intimate, personal voices. They all deal with conflict but from completely different angles - nature, war, education, and trauma.
Form matters - notice how Heaney's blank verse sounds conversational, while Weir's free verse reflects emotional chaos. Agard's mixed dialects assert cultural identity, and Armitage's colloquial language creates brutal realism.
Structure reveals meaning - look for voltas (turning points), repetition that builds intensity, and how enjambment affects pace and emotion. The way lines break and flow always connects to the poem's themes.
Language techniques work together - military imagery, sensory details, metaphors, and symbolism all build the emotional impact. Don't just spot techniques - explain how they make you feel and what they reveal about the speaker's experience.
Exam tip: Compare how different poets handle similar themes - this shows deeper understanding and gets you higher marks.
Access to all documents
Improve your grades
Join milions of students
By signing up you accept Terms of Service and Privacy Policy
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.
You can download the app from Google Play Store and Apple App Store.
That's right! Enjoy free access to study content, connect with fellow students, and get instant help – all at your fingertips.
7
Smart Tools NEW
Transform this note into: ✓ 50+ Practice Questions ✓ Interactive Flashcards ✓ Full Mock Exam ✓ Essay Outlines
Quotes from every main character
English LiteratureQuotes from every main character
English LiteratureApp Store
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
Sociology