Analysing the Poem 'Remains'
I can explore how Armitage uses language and structure to explore the long-lasting trauma of war.
Analysing the Poem 'Remains'
I can explore how Armitage uses language and structure to explore the long-lasting trauma of war.
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Lesson details
Key learning points
- Armitage uses language and structure to expose the traumatic events in war and the effects of conflict.
- Enjambment and caesura may reflect the soldier’s disturbed mind and lack of control over his emotions.
- Syntactic parallelism is used to demonstrate the soldier’s ongoing battle with his accountability.
- Imagery in lines 26-29 contrasts the distant warzone, highlighting the public’s false view of their separation from war.
- The present tense reflects the power of the past in the present.
Keywords
Trauma - the emotional response to a deeply distressing or disturbing experience
Harrowing - extremely disturbing
Intrusive - causing disruption through being unwanted
Common misconception
Students may not initially notice the structural choices within the poem such as tense and enjambment.
Explain how language, structure, perspective and tense are always constructed meaningfully by the poet to match their purpose.
To help you plan your year 10 english lesson on: Analysing the Poem 'Remains', download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your year 10 english lesson on: Analysing the Poem 'Remains', download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs.
The starter quiz will activate and check your pupils' prior knowledge, with versions available both with and without answers in PDF format.
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Explore more key stage 4 english lessons from the 'Power and Conflict' unit, dive into the full secondary english curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.
Equipment
You will need access to a copy of the AQA Power and Conflict Anthology for this lesson.
Content guidance
- Depiction or discussion of violence or suffering
- Depiction or discussion of mental health issues
Supervision
Adult supervision required
Licence
Lesson video
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Starter quiz
6 Questions
I, me, my
you, your
he, she, they