Analysing the Poem 'Remains'
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can explore how Armitage uses language and structure to explore the long-lasting trauma of war.
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.
Teacher tip
Consider if your students would benefit from learning more about Armitage's documentary 'The Not Dead' to enhance their understanding of Armitage's message.
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 violence or suffering
Depiction or discussion of mental health issues
Supervision
Adult supervision required
Licence
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Match the type of pronoun to the correct example.
I, me, my
you, your
he, she, they
Q2.'Us' is an example of a collective pronoun. What impact could the pronoun 'us' have when used in a text?
Q3.Starting with the first, order the key points of 'Remains' in chronological order.
Q4.The way a poem is organised is also known as the ...
Q5.The use of punctuation to pause in the middle of a line of poetry is called...
Q6.The method where by one line of poetry continues on to the next is known as...
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.The poem 'Remains' is written in which tense?
Q2.In 'Remains' the use of enjambment and caesura may reflect...
Q3.In 'Remains', what method is used to show the force of the intrusive thoughts the speaker experiences when he is back home, through the use of the word "bursts"?
Q4.At the start in 'Remains' the speaker sounds like he's telling an anecdotal story but by the end it is clear that he feels....
Q5.Causing disruption through being unwanted is known as being...
Q6.Why might Armitage have written the poem 'Remains'?
To help you plan your 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 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.
We use learning cycles to break down learning into key concepts or ideas linked to the learning outcome. Each learning cycle features explanations with checks for understanding and practice tasks with feedback. All of this is found in our slide decks, ready for you to download and edit. The practice tasks are also available as printable worksheets and some lessons have additional materials with extra material you might need for teaching the lesson.
The assessment exit quiz will test your pupils' understanding of the key learning points.
Our video is a tool for planning, showing how other teachers might teach the lesson, offering helpful tips, modelled explanations and inspiration for your own delivery in the classroom. Plus, you can set it as homework or revision for pupils and keep their learning on track by sharing an online pupil version of this lesson.
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.