New War / memory and phycological effects of war (Remains Kamikaze War photo Poppies

“Probably armed probably not”

The soldier has a sense of uncertainty and doubt, which juxtaposes the definite action that follows.

This suggests that there is a possibility he could have been innocent. The use of “probably” implies that this is what the speaker wants to believe, as it would provide justification; however, the clear anaphora of this phrase highlights the speaker’s inner conflict and guilt over the possibility of killing an innocent civilian. The use of uncertainty and ambiguity further underscores the theme of guilt and the psychological impact of war on soldiers. The repetition of the phrase contributes to the cyclical structure of the poem. The soldier wishes that the man was “probably armed” to justify his actions, but the idea that he was “probably not” continues to haunt him, emphasising the speaker’s inability to escape the memory and guilt of the event.

“his bloody life in my bloody hands”

The adjective “bloody” could reflect the violent and gruesome nature of the looter’s death, emphasising how war is filled with blood and suffering. Alternatively, it could be used as a curse, reflecting the speaker’s frustration and pain at the situation. This powerful contrast presents the soldier’s profound guilt and the lasting psychological impact of his violent actions, highlighting the enduring nature of trauma. The repetition of “bloody” creates a stark and visceral image, suggesting the speaker is burdened with responsibility for the man’s death and his inescapable involvement.

Further, “bloody hands” creates an allusion to Macbeth, a symbol of guilt, symbolising how murder will stain you and you cannot be cleansed from it, causing PTSD. For “all great Neptune’s oceans” and “the perfumes of Arabia” would not be able to clean their state of mind, suggesting the speaker will never be free from his guilt and PTSD will cause him suffering till death.

Context and Structure of Remains

“he’s here in my head”.

Simon Armitage presents Remains as a dramatic monologue, using colloquial participles such as “legs it” and “tosses” to create a realistic, conversational tone. The poem shifts between flashback and present tense, giving the sense of a personal account and suggesting the speaker is reliving events. This reflects symptoms of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, as the speaker appears unable to escape intrusive memories, possibly recounting them in a therapy-like setting. The one-sided nature of the monologue emphasises his isolation.

The cyclical revisiting of events suggests the speaker is attempting to process his trauma and come to terms with his guilt. The stream of consciousness structure reflects his uncontrolled thoughts, contrasting with societal expectations for soldiers to remain emotionally detached. Influenced by ideas from Sigmund Freud, the poem highlights the psychological impact of war and the difficulty of repressing trauma.

Change public opinion and incite sympathy.

The men who return wholly in boy but but never wholly in mind

increased awareness on PTSD arousing sympathy from the public who were against the war

“released a song bird from its cage”

• Extended metaphor: The son is compared to a song bird, which suggests delicacy, innocence, and vulnerability. Birds are naturally free, but the use of cage shows restriction and protection, symbolising the mother’s care and desire to keep him safe.

• Symbolism of freedom and loss: The act of releasing the bird represents letting her son go into the wider world, potentially into danger (war). This mirrors the tension between parental protection and inevitable separation, emphasising grief and anxiety.

• Emotional tone: The verb released carries dual meanings — liberation for the son, but emotional loss for the mother. The juxtaposition highlights bittersweet emotions: pride in her child, but sorrow at the impending absence.

• Psychological depth: The metaphor reflects the internal conflict of letting go, showing how grief and anxiety are intertwined. The mother’s memory of the release suggests it is a defining moment, anchoring her emotional experience and trauma.

• AO3 / context link: The image connects to themes in modern war poetry — parental trauma caused by soldiers’ absence — and aligns with Freudian ideas of attachment, separation, and the emotional consequences of loss.

“tucks, darts, pleats”

• Extended metaphor / semantic field of sewing: Words like tucks, darts, pleats come from tailoring and domestic work. Here, Weir uses the act of sewing as a metaphor for the mother’s attempt to control her emotions, showing how grief is internalised and structured, yet repetitive and obsessive.

• Physical manifestation of emotion: The “stomach busy” links her anxiety to a bodily sensation — grief and worry are not just mental but felt physically, reflecting the intensity of her emotional state.

• Cumulative listing / rhythm: The repetition of multiple sewing terms creates a rhythmic pattern, echoing the cyclical nature of worry and memory. This mirrors how she ruminates over her son’s absence, unable to stop thinking about him.

• Symbolism of repair / mending: Sewing implies fixing or containing something broken. The mother’s attempt to “sew” reflects her desire to keep herself or her son safe, symbolising the effort to contain trauma and emotional pain.

• Contrast / tension: Domestic, gentle imagery contrasts with the harsh reality of war — her careful, controlled environment versus the chaos her son is about to face. This heightens the sense of fragility and maternal concern.

• Psychological insight: The metaphor aligns with themes of trauma and memory — the body cannot simply forget, and the repetitive sewing reflects obsessive thought patterns, like those seen in PTSD or intense anxiety.

• AO3 / context: Modern war poetry often explores the impact on civilians and families. By using domestic imagery, the poem situates trauma within the everyday, showing that the effects of conflict ripple beyond the battlefield.

Poppies Context and Strucure

The poem takes the form of a ​ dramatic monologue narrative . The speaker uses a ​ second person to directly address their son however, he never replies, implying that he is no longer there which creates a sense of death and loss.

This shows that these are the speakers ​ uncensored thoughts make sense of the situation. Weir’s use of ​ free verse through which she desperately tries to also creates the impression of the poem being an ​ outpouring of emotion or a ​ stream of consciousness which is common in modern poetry. The chaotic structure of the poem reflects the narrator’s ​ lack of control over her emotions as well as the events she has endured and shows that they chaos created by war is much further reaching than the battlefield.

“Spools of suffering set out in ordered rows”

The metaphor of the spool — the cylinder in which the film is coiled — symbolises the trauma and grief recorded by the war photographer, conveying the relentless and cyclical nature of human suffering. The “spools” that are captured consist solely of images of pain, emphasising that war preserves only suffering.

The phrase “ordered rows” mirrors the countless lives lost in conflict and parallels the rows of graves in a cemetery, reinforcing the theme of death and loss. This sense of imposed order contrasts sharply with the chaos and unpredictability of battle, suggesting that the war photographer attempts to create meaning from the incomprehensible horrors he witnesses. The only “order” he can document is death itself, highlighting the futility and inevitability of war, where uniformity exists only in mortality.

Furthermore, the use of sibilance — the repeated soft “s” sounds — gives a hushed, quiet tone, reflecting how the true nature of war is silenced or muted so that everyday life can continue. It suggests that the suffering and horror captured by the photographer are hidden beneath the surface, allowing society to carry on while the reality of conflict remains obscured

The poem reflects real‑world media practices where governments and news outlets often filter or soften images of war so the public can carry on with everyday life, showing how society chooses to shield itself from the full horror of conflict rather than confront it directly

“a hundred agonies in black and white”

The metaphor highlights the immense suffering captured by the war photographer, acting as a symbolic representation of the vast scale of human pain in conflict. The choice of “black and white” emphasises the sombre, stark reality of the images, stripping away distractions and focusing the reader on the horror of war.

Furthermore, the use of enjambment stretches lines across the stanza, mirroring the overwhelming and continuous nature of suffering. This hyperbolic effect suggests that the trauma is too vast to be fully described or captured by the photographer, reflecting the limits of representation in conveying the human cost of conflict.

Structure and context of War Photographer

The rigid form of six-line stanzas with a consistent rhyme scheme contrasts with the chaos and unpredictability caused by conflict. The tight structure could suggest the war photographer’s lack of power to change anything, as his work is presented to an unsuspecting audience that fails to engage or feel motivated to act.

“Her father embarked at sunrise.”

"Kamikaze “

Conflict between identities, such as father and soldier, is established immediately in “Her father embarked at sunrise.” The contrast between the title, Kamikaze, and this personal perspective sets up the tension between duty to country and duty to family.

Kamikaze frames him as a Japanese suicide pilot, disciplined and nationalistic, reinforced through symbolic possessions such as a flask of water and a samurai sword. These items suggest practical preparation and adherence to tradition, emphasising his role as a soldier. In contrast, the reference to her father humanises him, revealing a personal life and connections outside of his mission, which makes the reader empathise with his moral dilemma.

​ “figure of eight the dark ​ shoals of fishes”

“a tuna, the dark prince, muscular, dangerous.”

Figure of eight the symbol for infinity. This may be used to imply the eternal nature of nature – continue indefinitely - nature is infinite in comparison to the transience of humanity, and life is brief, transient and precious. War and honour will be forgotten – nature will remain. Nature is more powerful than mankind.

The poem explores the imbalance of power between humanity and nature. Even a kamikaze pilot — traditionally the epitome of bravery — senses the danger posed by the natural world. The pilot, representing military power, discipline, and determination, is not the most threatening figure; instead, a fish emerges as the true agent of power. The fish is presented through the metaphor of a prince, portraying it as important, significant, and deserving of respect and honour, mirroring the way society venerates soldiers.

Its significance is further emphasised through structure: the first full stop in the poem draws attention to the fish, signalling to the reader that it is worthy of notice. This reflects the broader theme that, in nature, humans are not always in control, no matter their bravery or status.

Structure and context of Kamikaze

• Kamikaze pilots flew manned suicide missions during WWII, believing it was the only way to change the war’s outcome.

• Japanese culture was highly patriotic and honour-based; bravery and duty were valued above personal survival.

• One person’s cowardice could bring shame on their whole family.

• Kamikaze comes from a 13th-century typhoon, linking their missions to the power of nature

• Structure is juxtaposed and undermined by the ​ free verse ENJAMBMENT and ​ enjambment.

• The attempts of freedom within the confines of the strict stanza structure suggests her father had his own desires, roles and individuality within the constrictions put in place by the Japanese government. The ​ free verse and ​ enjambment could also show that he is starting to doubt his obedience and realised he wants to pursue the freedom and beauty of life unrestrained. This reminds the reader, and perhaps society, that the soldiers depicted in the poem are still individuals. This ​ structural juxtaposition also could reflect the conflict between military commitment and cultural pride, and desire for life and freedom.