Developing interpretations of ‘Remains’ with Simon Armitage
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can use Simon Armitage’s comments to develop my interpretations of the poem ‘Remains’.
Key learning points
- Armitage uses personal perspective, colloquial and vernacular language to ensure accuracy and authenticity.
- He says the most important moment in Remains is the "blood-shadow".
- Armitage reveals a tension between the poet and the speaker, emphasising the themes of power and conflict.
- He describes the final lines as "naked" and "vulnerable" illuminating their emotional impact.
- Armitage's ideas can help develop interpretations of the poem.
Keywords
Trauma - the emotional response to a deeply distressing or disturbing experience
Dispassionate - showing no strong feeling or emotion; detached and impartial
Sentimental - expressing or influenced by tender feelings or emotions, often excessively
Colloquial - informal language or speech, used in everyday conversation
Vernacular - the everyday language spoken by people in a particular region or group
Common misconception
Most poems are deeply personal or emotional and are written spontaneously from the heart.
Armitage suggests that writing poetry about traumatic events can be a methodical process. He states that keeping some emotional distance can be helpful.
Teacher tip
Consider using discussion as a way to respond to the videos.
Equipment
You will need access to a copy of the AQA Power and Conflict Anthology for this lesson. The poem is also available in the additional materials.
Content guidance
Depiction or discussion of sensitive content
Depiction or discussion of mental health issues
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.Is the statement true or false? The poem 'Remains' appears in a collection of poetry written by Simon Armitage, called 'The Lost Dead'.
Q2.Who is the speaker in Simon Armitage's poem 'Remains'?
Q3.The poem 'Remains' is written in which tense?
Q4.In the poem 'Remains', how does the line "his blood-shadow stays on the street" reflect the speaker's trauma?
Q5.The language in 'Remains' can be described as colloquial. This means...
Q6.In the poem 'Remains', which of the following best describes the effect of the words "tosses" "guts" and "body"?
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Which image does Armitage describe as being “lodged in Rob’s mind” and “striking”?
Q2.What is the significance of the title 'Remains'?
Q3.Why does Simon Armitage describe his writing process as being “dispassionate”?
Q4.What word beginning with 'v' describes language that is the everyday language spoken by people in a particular region or group?
Q5.What does the final couplet of the poem 'Remains' achieve, according to Armitage?
Q6.How does Armitage’s description of writing "under laboratory conditions" relate to his poetic approach in 'Remains'?
To help you plan your 10 English lesson on: Developing interpretations of ‘Remains’ with Simon Armitage, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 10 English lesson on: Developing interpretations of ‘Remains’ with Simon Armitage, 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.