Analysing 'Poppies'

English

In 'Edexcel Belonging Poetry continued', pupils used a range of reading skills to aid the supported decoding of challenging poems. In 'Unseen Poetry', pupils use these reading skills to decode texts with independence. 

In 'Edexcel Belonging Poetry', pupils compared the language, form and structure of a variety of poems connected by the themes of culture and belonging. In 'Edexcel Belonging Poetry continued', pupils work on making more nuanced comparisons focusing on the final three poems: *Poppies*, *Catrin* and *Cousin Kate*..

Poetry anthology: continued study

Subjects which particular individuals may be sensitive to, eg, adoption, migration, bereavement or death, divorce.

Depiction or discussion of sensitive content

Depiction of war, threats of war, death or the aftermath of war.

Depiction or discussion of violence or suffering

how she represses her grief when saying goobye to her son

how she found it easy to say goodbye to her son

In 'Poppies', the mother "steel[ing] the softening of her face" could reflect...

the mother releasing her son's childhood pet

The act of "releasing a song bird from its cage" in 'Poppies' could represent...

the conflict between the mother and her son

how the mother tries to contain her grief

The two sestets either side of long stanzas could reflect…

"The word “stitch” could further reflect how the mother tries to keep her grief neat and tidy". This response contains...

choose the first analysis that comes to your head

consider alternative interpretations of something in the poem

What is one way to ensure a nuanced answer when writing essays about poems?

to encourage the reader to wear a poppy every year

to encourage the reader to reflect on the grief that lies within the symbol

to criticise the sheer loss of life in war

to emphasise the many mothers that experience the same grief as the speaker

Why might Weir have chosen the title "Poppies"?

Who is 'Poppies' written from the perspective of?

In this quote from 'Poppies': "smoothed down your shirt’s upturned collar", how does the mother seem?

Throughout the poem, Weir uses frequent...

"my stomach busy making tucks, darts, pleats"

"I listened, hoping to hear your playground voice"

Which quote from 'Poppies' suggests the mother may be at peace with her son's death?

"steeled", "blockade", "reinforcements". All of these words fit the semantic field of...

Weir compels the reader to acknowledge the mother's quiet trauma

Weir places significance on the soldier's pain

Weir shows the patriotism of mothers of boys at war

Content guidance

Depiction or discussion of sensitive content

Depiction or discussion of violence or suffering

Adult supervision recommended

Starter Quiz