Poppies

Poet

JANE WEIR

Context

• Modern warfare.
• The poppy has become a symbol for the loss of life for all soldiers, since the World Wars.
• Remembrance Day is observed by many to commemorate those who have lost their lives for their county.
• Many relatives are affected by the decisions of ones who choose to sacrifice their life to fight for their country.
• This poem reflects the conflicting emotions of pride and fear.

Plot

• The poem includes key memories of a mother and depicts her close relationship with her son.
• Various emotions are addressed in the poem.
• The mother is left behind, when the son goes to war.
• The poem concludes with the mother visiting a memorial site. She may be there to see the name of her son but this is not clarified.

Form

• Monologue
• Flashback
• Enjambment

Structure

• Four stanzas
• No rhyme scheme

Language

• Extended metaphor
• Animal imagery
• Alliteration
• Symbolism
• Listing
• Simile
• Metaphor
• Opinion

Tone

• Patriotism
• Pride
• Fear

Themes

• Power of humans
• Power of nature
• Power of memory
• War
• Death
• Religion
• First hand experience