Page 2: Stanza Analysis and Poetic Devices

This page provides a detailed stanza breakdown of "Remains" by Simon Armitage, focusing on the first two stanzas and the poetic devices employed.

The analysis begins by noting the poem's in medias res opening, which creates the impression of an ongoing conversation. This technique immediately immerses the reader in the soldier's narrative.

Definition: In medias res - A literary technique where the narrative starts in the middle of the story, often at a crucial point in the action.

The use of first-person plural pronouns ("we") in the opening lines is highlighted, indicating the soldier's initial sense of being part of a team. This contrasts with the isolation he experiences later when dealing with PTSD.

Armitage's use of colloquial language is emphasized, with phrases like "legs it up the road" creating a casual tone that belies the gravity of the situation. This informal language also suggests the soldier's youth and possible inexperience.

Example: The phrase "tackle looters" is compared to sports terminology, implying the soldier's youthful perspective and the use of euphemism to soften the reality of the situation.

The analysis points out the soldier's uncertainty about whether the looter was armed, represented by the line "probably armed, possibly not." This uncertainty becomes a crucial element in the soldier's subsequent guilt and trauma.

Highlight: The repetition and rhythmic balance of "probably armed, possibly not" reflect the soldier's internal conflict and contribute to the poem's memorable quality.

The second stanza's breakdown focuses on the collective action of the soldiers, noting how the repetition of "somebody else" might indicate the narrator's desire to protect his comrades or his own fading memory of the event.

The page concludes by examining the shift from collective to individual perspective, marked by the line "and I swear." This transition signals the deeply personal nature of the trauma and its lasting impact on the soldier.

Page 3: Continued Analysis and Psychological Impact

This page continues the in-depth analysis of "Remains," focusing on the psychological impact of the incident on the soldier narrator.

The analysis highlights the shift to first-person perspective with the repeated phrase "I see," emphasizing the intensely personal nature of the trauma. This repetition also underscores the vivid and intrusive nature of the soldier's memories.

Quote: "I see every round as it rips through his life - / I see broad daylight on the other side."

The graphic imagery in these lines is examined, noting how it conveys the soldier's shock and the surreal quality of the experience. The phrase "broad daylight on the other side" is interpreted as a possible metaphor for the soldier's loss of innocence or the stark reality of taking a life.

The analysis then explores the consequences of the looter's death in the "Remains" poem, particularly its psychological impact on the soldier. The description of the looter as "sort of inside out, pain itself, the image of agony" is discussed, highlighting how this gruesome image becomes etched in the soldier's memory.

Highlight: The poem's portrayal of the aftermath, including a fellow soldier carelessly tossing the looter's "guts back into his body," emphasizes the dehumanizing effects of war.

The page delves into the lasting trauma experienced by the soldier, as represented by the "blood-shadow" that remains on the street. This persistent image serves as a metaphor for the inescapable nature of the soldier's guilt and trauma.

Vocabulary: Trauma - A deeply distressing or disturbing experience that can have long-lasting psychological effects.

The analysis concludes by examining the final lines of the poem, which describe the soldier's struggle with intrusive thoughts and memories. The inability to "flush him out" with "drink and drugs" is interpreted as a clear indication of the soldier's PTSD and the ineffectiveness of self-medication in treating this condition.

This detailed examination of the poem's imagery and language provides insight into the profound psychological impact of combat experiences and the long-term effects of PTSD in Simon Armitage's "Remains".

Impact of Violence

The poem explores the immediate and long-term consequences of violence on both victim and perpetrator.

Quote: "And the drink and the drugs won't flush him out - he's here in my head when I close my eyes"

Highlight: The failed attempts at self-medication reveal the depth of the trauma.

Concluding Analysis

The final section emphasizes the inescapable nature of trauma and guilt.

Quote: "his bloody life in my bloody hands"

Highlight: The repetition of "bloody" serves both as literal description and emotional emphasis.

The poem concludes with the soldier's recognition that this trauma is not distant but "near to the knuckle, here and now."

Literary Techniques

The poem employs various literary devices to convey its themes effectively.

Example: The use of enjambment and irregular line lengths mirrors the chaotic nature of the soldier's thoughts.

Vocabulary: Enjambment - the continuation of a sentence beyond the end of a line, couplet, or stanza.

The colloquial language gradually gives way to more intense and graphic imagery as the poem progresses.

Page 1: Introduction and Incident

The first page introduces the poem "Remains" by Simon Armitage, setting the scene for a traumatic wartime incident. The narrator, a soldier, recounts being sent to deal with looters raiding a bank.

The soldier describes how he and two others opened fire on a fleeing looter, unsure if the target was armed. The vivid imagery of the shooting is presented in stark, brutal terms:

Quote: "I see every round as it rips through his life - / I see broad daylight on the other side."

This graphic description emphasizes the violence of the act and its impact on the soldier's psyche. The aftermath is equally disturbing, with a fellow soldier tossing the looter's "guts back into his body" before the body is taken away.

The poem then shifts to the lasting effects of this incident on the narrator:

Highlight: The soldier is haunted by the "blood-shadow" left on the street, which he must walk over repeatedly during patrols.

This image serves as a powerful metaphor for the lingering trauma and guilt experienced by the soldier.

Vocabulary: PTSD (Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder) - A mental health condition triggered by experiencing or witnessing a terrifying event, often characterized by flashbacks, nightmares, and severe anxiety.

The final lines of this page introduce the theme of PTSD, as the soldier describes how the incident invades his thoughts, dreams, and even resists attempts to "flush him out" with alcohol and drugs.