Poppies analysis (GCSE)

What Happens?

A mother is grieving for the loss of her soldier son, she reflects on the time where she pins a poppy onto his lapel before he leaves, enthusiastic for school, conflict or the excitements of the world. She finds herself drawn to a war memorial and longs to her son's voice again.

Structure

• Written in free verse to capture her continueing thoughts as she adresses her absent son whilst internalising her thoughts
• The four stanzas are of differing lengths, two and three being effectively linked by enjambement 

Language and Imagery

• The dramatic monologue seems to be a lament where the mother's memory takes her on a journey
• The idea of a poppy…