Question 1: Briefly describe the overall mood of 'Remains'. How does Armitage create this mood through language?

Answer: The mood is tense and unsettling; Armitage uses vivid imagery and colloquial language to evoke the soldier's emotional turmoil and guilt.

Question 2: Identify two key language devices used in the poem and explain their effect on the reader.

Answer: Metaphor ('his blood-shadow') emphasizes the lasting impact of violence; colloquial diction ('probably armed, possibly not') creates a sense of ambiguity and realism.

Question 1: Analyze the quote: 'His blood-shadow stays on the street, and out on patrol.' What imagery and language devices are present, and what is their impact?

Answer: The phrase 'blood-shadow' is a metaphor suggesting lingering guilt or trauma that haunts the soldier; 'stays on the street' emphasizes how violence leaves a lasting mark. This imagery evokes the mental scars of war and the inescapable nature of guilt.

Question 2: Look at the line: 'Probably armed, possibly not.' How does this colloquial language contribute to the poem’s realism?

Answer: The casual, uncertain phrase reflects the soldier's ambiguous memories and the chaotic nature of conflict, making the poem more authentic and relatable.

Question 1: Choose a quote from the poem that illustrates the theme of guilt. Explain how the language conveys this theme.

Answer: 'His blood-shadow stays on the street'—the metaphor shows how guilt persists and cannot be washed away, emphasizing the lasting impact of violence.

Question 2: How does Armitage depict the chaos of war through imagery and language? Provide examples.

Answer: Images like 'blood-shadow' and colloquial phrases depict violence and disorder, immersing the reader in the soldier's fragmented memories and the brutal reality of conflict.

Question 1: Identify similarities in how both poems depict the transient nature of power.

Answer: Both poems suggest that power is temporary; 'Ozymandias' shows a ruined statue symbolizing lost authority, while 'Remains' depicts the lasting psychological scars of violence.

Question 2: Outline key points for comparing the poets' use of language to convey the theme of decay or loss of control.

Answer: Armitage uses visceral imagery like 'blood-shadow' to show mental scars, whereas Shelley employs desolate imagery of the ruined statue to symbolize physical and political decay.

Question 1: Quote: 'His blood-shadow stays on the street, and out on patrol.'

Answer: The metaphor 'blood-shadow' personifies guilt as a lingering presence; the phrase 'stays on the street' emphasizes how violence and trauma are inescapable. The alliteration of 's' sounds creates a hissing, unsettling effect that mirrors the tension of the scene.

Question 2: Select another powerful quote and analyze the imagery and language devices used.

Answer: For example, 'probably armed, possibly not' employs colloquial language and ambiguity, highlighting the chaos and moral uncertainty in war zones, making the reader question the reliability of memory.

Question 1: Construct an analytical paragraph or outline a plan that discusses how the poet’s language choices deepen the reader’s understanding of trauma and guilt.

Answer: Students should discuss how Armitage’s use of visceral imagery like 'blood-shadow,' colloquial language, and fragmented structure evoke the chaos and lasting trauma experienced by soldiers. The tone and diction create an intense emotional connection, making the reader empathize with the psychological scars of war.