SUMMARY

The author for this poem is Simon Armitage, where the speaker describes an occasion during war when
he shot a bank looter. He is unable to get the memory out of his mind and is suffering from this trauma
deeply. This makes us understand that the solider is suffering from PTSD which is caused by very
distressing and traumatised events. Even at home he can have very terrible flashbacks.

CONTEXT
This is a contemporary (written in language that is accessible to the common reader) poem, it explores
the impact of war on soldiers’ mental health, even whilst they are no longer in service. Simon Armitage
based the poem on an account of a real soldier as part of a collection called The Not Dead. This also was
featured as part of a television series, where the actual soldier describes the incident and its lasting
impact.

STRUCTURAL IDEAS
Two part structure – In the first half of the poem, Repetition – Repetition of “probably armed,
the persona focuses on an event in the past. It possibly not” creates an almost cyclical
forms an anecdotal fashion as he describes an (happening in cycles) structure. This reinforces
event on which he and his team raided a bank and the idea that the memories are inescapable, and
killed a looter. that he’s stuck in a never-ending cycle of
The second half of the poem focuses on the torture/torment.
aftermath of war. Speaking in present tense, the
speaker still lives through the horrors of the first
half of the poem. This structure conveys the reality
of PTSD.
Dramatic monologue – The poem is written in a No rhyme – The poem is made up of unrhymed
form of a dramatic monologue – therefore, we get quatrains. The lack of rhyme gives it more of a
an insight into the first-hand experiences and natural, speech-like feel but could indicate the
thoughts of one individual. speaker’s unstable state of mind.
This monologue could be applicable to many
soldiers who have suffered a traumatic event in a
comparable way.
Rhythm break – The fact that the last two lines Regular stanzas – The regular pattern of stanzas
break the pattern of four-line stanzas, it could could reflect the never-ending, common suffering
represent a mental breakdown. of the soldier.
KEY CONCEPTS
The poem explores a soldier’s experience in war and the aftermath. It covers:
1) Trauma and guilt
a) The poet explores a lesser discussed aspect of war: returning home and living with the traumatic
memories of acts committed in war.
b) The solider is overwhelmed with feelings of guilt. The poet raises questions about the way soldiers
in war are conditioned, where they are expected to put aside their emotions when they commit
acts of violence or destruction.
c) These soldiers are following orders, there is no room for their thoughts or feelings about the value
of human life and the moral implications of taking it.
d) The poem involves desensitisation of death, horrific imagery etc.
2) Injustice of war
a) There is a sense of the injustice of conflict. It could have been considered that the looter was
potentially not ‘life-threatening’ but he lost his life anyway.
b) Split-second decisions are made in war about taking a life or keeping it. They both have lasting
consequences.
3) Contrast of war and the aftermath
a) The casualness of death when the soldier is at war.
b) The horror of memories – about death when he is in a different setting (like home).

KEY QUOTATIONS
“Torn apart by a dozen rounds.” “Well, myself and somebody else and somebody
else”
Violent image Colloquial language
Contrasts to the ideas of peace and tranquillity, like Shows that experiences, such as the one
‘sleep’ and ‘dream’. described were common. Soldiers are almost
desensitised to the horrors of conflict when they
are immersed in it.

“Sort of inside out… tosses his guts back into his “I swear I see every round as it rips through his
body” life”
Gruesome imagery Violent language
Indicates the reality of war and the lack of glory or The verb “rip” highlights the brutal nature of the
honour typically associated with the job. event.
Sensory language
“I see” conveys a sense of the trauma it has
caused, as though it’s branded on his memory.
Present tense
The soldier’s suffrage is ongoing and constant.

“Probably armed, possibly not” “And the drink and the drugs won’t flush him
Uncertain imagery out”
Reminds readers of the doubt/anxiety soldiers must Desperation to rid himself of memories
deal with on a daily basis. Links to the theme of guilt The verb ‘flush’ is indicative of something that
needs to be cleansed/disposed of.
as there is an indication that the man who was
killed, was innocent.
“His blood shadow stays on the street, and out “His bloody life in my bloody hands”
on patrol” Repetition
Metaphor Reinforces the sense of his frustration at himself.
Indicates something dark that cannot be dispelled, a Bloody imagery
constant reminder of what he did. The image of having blood on his hands symbolises
the guilt he is unable to rid himself of.
Adjective ‘bloody’
Could also be interpreted as a swear word and
mark his anger or regret.

KEY COMPARISONS
Reality of conflict & effects of conflict Powerful memories
War Photographer Kamikaze
Exposure Poppies
Poppies The Emigree
Bayonet Charge War Photographer
Charge of the Light Brigade The Prelude
Powerful, memorable and/or unpleasant
experiences
Exposure
Charge of the Light Brigade
Bayonet Charge
The Prelude