Remains

Remains

Jason Perinbam

Struggling to analyse Remains by Simon Armitage? This post walks you through how the poem explores the lasting trauma of war — and how soldiers are often left with invisible wounds. Want full analysis of all 15 poems, comparison tips, and 50+ top quotes? Grab our Power & Conflict Cheat Sheet — available now on the Products Page!

 

What Is Remains Really About?

At first glance, Remains seems to be a simple war story — but it’s so much more. Told from the point of view of a soldier recalling a violent moment in combat, the poem explores guilt, trauma, and the psychological aftermath of conflict.

Armitage strips away any romantic or heroic image of war. Instead, he zooms in on the emotional cost, especially how PTSD haunts soldiers long after the physical battle is over.

 

Why Is It Called Remains?

The title has a double meaning:

  • Literal: the body remains of the looter shot dead
  • Figurative: the emotional remains — the trauma and guilt that stays with the speaker

It’s a powerful reminder that war doesn’t end when the fighting stops.

 

Key Themes in Remains

  • PTSD and trauma – the mental scars of war
  • Memory and guilt – the soldier is stuck in a cycle of regret
  • Powerlessness – against both war and its lasting effects
  • Dehumanisation – the casual way killing is discussed

 

Form and Structure: What to Know

  • Written in free verse – no set rhyme or rhythm = reflects chaos and lack of control
  • Begins with casual, conversational tone – shifts to dark, disturbed tone by the end
  • Enjambment mimics natural speech and stream of thought
  • Final stanza stands alone – symbolises isolation and emotional detachment

The lack of resolution in the structure reflects the speaker’s inability to move on.

 

Context: Why It Matters

  • Based on interviews with real soldiers in Iraq – part of the The Not Dead documentary
  • Armitage wanted to explore the mental health of modern soldiers
  • Reflects wider issues around veterans returning from war and being unsupported
  • Challenges traditional views of bravery and heroism in combat

 

    High-Level Vocabulary to Use in Essays

    • Psychological warfare – inner battles that follow soldiers home
    • Moral ambiguity – blurred lines between right and wrong
    • Stream of consciousness – the chaotic, flowing thoughts of the speaker
    • Dehumanisation – how war turns people into objects or numbers
    • Desensitisation – how the soldier initially speaks casually about violence
    • Guilt-ridden – haunted by his choices
    • Alienation – isolated from normal civilian life

     

    3 Key Quotes + Analysis

    1. “Probably armed, possibly not.”

    • Analysis: This repeated line reflects uncertainty and doubt. It captures the soldier’s inner conflict — he’s trying to justify the killing, but the fact that he doesn’t know for sure haunts him. The juxtaposition of “probably” and “possibly” shows moral ambiguity and guilt.

     

    2. “His bloody life in my bloody hands.”

    • Analysis: A clever play on words. On the surface, it’s just anger or frustration, but deeper down, it echoes Macbeth’s guilt — linking to the idea of eternal psychological stains. The repetition of “bloody” shows how the speaker can’t escape his memories.

     

    3. “And the drink and the drugs won’t flush him out –”

    • Analysis: This line highlights the helplessness of the soldier. Despite his efforts, the memory is unshakeable. “Flush him out” uses a military metaphor — suggesting the trauma is like an enemy that has invaded his mind.

     

    Want Full Notes, Grade 9 Essays & More Quotes?

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