Question 1: Describe the significance of the opening lines of 'Poppies'. What mood or tone do they set for the poem?

Answer: The opening lines evoke a sense of calm and reflection, setting a contemplative mood that introduces themes of memory and loss.

Question 2: What does the imagery of 'spasms of paper red' suggest about the narrator's memories?

Answer: It suggests the fragility and fleeting nature of memories of war, with 'spasms' indicating emotional pain and 'paper red' emphasizing vulnerability.

Question 3: Analyze how the poet uses structure to reflect the narrator's emotional journey.

Answer: The poem's free verse and enjambment mirror the irregular, ongoing nature of memory and emotional processing.

Question 1: Quote explosion: Find and analyze the metaphor in 'a single dove spattered with rain'. What does it symbolize?

Answer: The metaphor of a 'single dove spattered with rain' symbolizes peace and innocence disrupted by the chaos of war. The dove traditionally represents peace, but the rain and spattering suggest trauma or sorrow.

Question 2: Identify two examples of personification in the poem and discuss their impact.

Answer: Examples include 'the dark shoals of fishes' and 'the dove's voice'. Personification brings scenes to life, emphasizing the natural world's response to human conflict and the narrator's memories.

Question 3: How does the poet use similes to convey the narrator's feelings? Provide an example.

Answer: An example is 'like a wishbone', suggesting fragility and hope. Similes help the reader understand the delicate emotional state of the narrator.

Question 1: Discuss how the theme of memory is portrayed in 'Poppies'. Provide supporting quotes.

Answer: Memory is portrayed as fragmented and emotional, e.g., 'I pinned down the door' and 'spasms of paper red', showing the narrator's attempt to hold onto the past and the pain associated with it.

Question 2: Compare the theme of conflict in 'Poppies' with that in another poem from the anthology, such as 'Ozymandias'. How is conflict represented differently?

Answer: In 'Poppies', conflict is emotional and personal, rooted in loss and memory. In 'Ozymandias', conflict is political and historical, symbolized by the ruined statue representing the impermanence of power. The poems explore different aspects of conflict—inner versus outer.

Question 1: Identify key quotes from each poem that relate to the theme of power.

Answer: 'Poppies': 'I listened, hoping to hear your playground voice' (suggests emotional power of memory). 'Ozymandias': 'My name is Ozymandias, king of kings' (asserts dominance).

Question 2: Outline points for an essay comparing how each poem presents the idea of the transient nature of power.

Answer: In 'Poppies', power is emotional and fleeting, connected to memories and loss. In 'Ozymandias', power is shown as ultimately temporary, eroded by time, highlighting the futility of human hubris.

Question 1: Develop a paragraph comparing the poets’ use of language to evoke emotion in 'Poppies' and 'My Last Duchess'. Consider tone, imagery, and word choice.

Answer: Students should explore how both poets use vivid imagery and tone—Weir's soft, reflective language creates a sense of loss, while Browning’s possessive tone in 'My Last Duchess' reveals control and obsession. Both evoke strong emotional responses, but through different thematic lenses.