Poppies

What is the poem about?

The poem is about a mother who is describing her son leaving home because he is joining the army. It shows what the mother's emotional reaction to him leaving is.

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What event does the poem link to?

Armistice Sunday (Remembrance Day)

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How does the poet express feelings about death in Poppies?

The poet expresses the feelings a mother has about the death of her son in a war far away

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What technique does this quote use - 'The gelled blackthorns of your hair'

Metaphor

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What does the reference of touch in the quote show - 'I wanted to graze my nose across the tip of your nose'

The reference to the sense of touch shows how the mother longs for the closeness she had with her son when he was small, and emphasises the distance between them now

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What does the imagery of war show in the poem?

The images of war and violence symbolise the son's new identity and the danger he is in. The references to 'Armistice Sunday' and the 'war memorial' question whether he is alive

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What are the feelings and attitudes portrayed in the poem?

Loss, fear and freedom

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What is the structure of the poem?

The poem is chronological, describing preparations for the son leaving, his departure and then what the mother does afterwards. The time frame is ambiguous - memories of the son's childhood are combined with memories of him leaving.

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The poem is written in first person narrative - What effect does this have on the reader?

The first person narrative means that the reader gets a strong impression of the mother's emotions

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After the son leaves, where does the mother go?

She goes to places that remind her of him

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Poppies

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Card 2

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Card 3

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Card 4

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Card 5

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