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Understanding the poem 'Remains'
I can explain how Armitage comments on the traumatic effects of war in ‘Remains’.
Lesson 23 of 33
New
New
- Year 10
- AQA
Understanding the poem 'Remains'
I can explain how Armitage comments on the traumatic effects of war in ‘Remains’.
Lesson details
Key learning points
- The poem’s title may reflect the long-lasting unpleasant effects of war.
- In ‘Remains', Armitage explores the PTSD and other disorders that many veterans deal with.
- The poem is taken from a collection called ‘The Not Dead’, based on interviews with soldiers from Iraq and Gulf Wars.
- The speaker’s battle with PTSD may reflect the long-term effects of conflict that are left unnoticed by society.
Keywords
Trauma - the emotional response to a deeply distressing or disturbing experience
Veteran - an ex-member of the armed forces
Aftermath - the consequences of a significant unpleasant event
Atrocities - extremely violent acts
Common misconception
War links to conflict solely due to the violence and brutality between opposing sides whilst fighting.
War can also link to mental conflict long after the fighting is done as we see in Armitage's poem.
Sharing with pupils what you liked/disliked/noticed about the poem after the second read through in learning cycle 1 may help them feel comfortable expressing their authentic feelings.
Teacher tip
Equipment
You will need access to a copy of the AQA Power and Conflict Anthology for this lesson.
Content guidance
- Depiction or discussion of sensitive content
- Depiction or discussion of violence or suffering
Supervision
Adult supervision recommended
Licence
This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2025), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.If something 'remains' with you what might that mean?
If something 'remains' with you what might that mean?
it leaves you
you own it
Q2.If war imagery is described as 'graphic' that means...
If war imagery is described as 'graphic' that means...
it's described in a vague manner
it's described in a detailed manner
Q3.What does the word 'atrocity' mean?
What does the word 'atrocity' mean?
a justified act of violence
an extremely moral act
Q4.What is a looter?
What is a looter?
a civilian caught up in army crossfire
a special officer in the army
Q5.The word 'ambiguous' means...
The word 'ambiguous' means...
detailed or specific
thoughtful or kind
Q6.Internal conflict is...
Internal conflict is...
conflict a person has within their family unit
conflict only a soldier in a war would understand
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.The emotional response to a deeply distressing or disturbing experience is known as...
The emotional response to a deeply distressing or disturbing experience is known as...
Q2.'Remains' focuses not on the act of war but on the of war.
'Remains' focuses not on the act of war but on the of war.
Q3.Who does the speaker in 'Remains' described in the poem?
Who does the speaker in 'Remains' described in the poem?
a civilian
a child
Q4.In the poem ‘Remains’, Armitage highlights…
In the poem ‘Remains’, Armitage highlights…
the sacrifice soldiers make in war
the way war effects loved ones
Q5.What is it suggest that the soldier in 'Remains' is suffering from?
What is it suggest that the soldier in 'Remains' is suffering from?
Q6.The documentary Simon Armitage wrote about veterans from the Iraq and Gulf Wards was called...
The documentary Simon Armitage wrote about veterans from the Iraq and Gulf Wards was called...
'The Lost Dead'
The Not Alive
