Simon Armitage: 'Remains' Mr Bruff Analysis

[@user-dh1uu7sx1g]

your channel is literally a key to passing English

[@SpkyGht]

Zempah and passing it well

[@mrbruff]

Thank you

[@user-dh1uu7sx1g]

no no silly, thank you.

[@sallyj577]

el kay loooool

[@bertiet7593]

el kay haha u lad

[@serenayau412]

"probably armed, possibly not' this I think is repeated not only because of the cyclical structure of the soldier struggling to escape the trauma, but also to remind the audience of the uncertainty the soldier had, which led to this downfall. When it is repeated the second time, there is the realisation that he knew he wasn't sure if the looter was armed and is going through the emotions of 'what ifs?', but the only thing he was sure about was the aftermath of it all, he can recall the looter being hit a dozen times. It also heightens the fact that he'd be constantly questioning if the looter was 'probably armed, possibly not'.

[@Rho507]

Life saver😂

[@sashhall]

Serena Yau thanks I need to annotate it and this will be helpful

[@topbest2920]

THANK YOU!!!

[@Baqir_B2]

from grade 5 to grade 9

[@user-qr2zi6xt7l]

thanks, i've got an assessment tomorrow

[@navyabajpai6946]

I also noticed that 'probably armed' and 'possibly not' are both composed of 4 syllables, suggesting there was an equal chance that the man was armed or unarmed. This is juxtaposed by the division of probability between 'probably' and 'possibly', implying that the military had conditioned the soldiers to assume the worst and shoot without certainty, highlighting the complete disregard for waste of human life

[@jasonnong3305]

Yessir

[@IDidNotCommitWarCrimesInSerbia]

Write that down

[@MT-tn2qz]

Thanks bro gonna need this for mocks

[@maxfinning-tt2bz]

that's incredible

[@aseli4863]

Through the symbolism of western world being attacked through "raiding a bank" and the bank being a symbol for a capitalist society is Armitage's way of criticising the cause for war; unethical causes such as money is more important than human life.

[@adamgreenwood5147]

Aseli too deep man

[@greenmarble1032]

Aseli is this correct I may use this in the exam

[@kashk7173]

GreenMarble no right or wrong answers

[@greenmarble1032]

Kash K cool

[@thecaesiumgamer9593]

Valid point, but not really fitting for the theme of the poem

[@tamircohen1512]

Let's just hope we don't get Tissue in the summer..

[@morgancheadleofficial]

voidz I’m gonna die if we get tissue 😂

[@MrBrandonHDGamer]

They CANT give tissue surely, it's too complex for lower level students to write about. If you are comparing it and do a good job, high marks for you though ;) It is a horrible poem to understand at first, but it is actually quite interesting when you get the hang of it!

[@deviant7100]

did you get Tissues? xD

[@joe653]

@@MrBrandonHDGamer I want to know lol. Did you get tissues?

[@MrBrandonHDGamer]

Joe D No thank god for that 😂 still hate that poem

[@GX_Ethernal]

"Hoped you found this video useful" Absolute perfection. You're a legend.

[@goopedukps]

flushing is also an army term used to describe forcing the enemy from their cover or base using grenades, smoke, etc. which relates to the line “dug in behind enemy lines”.

[@linabenjelloun6055]

why can't we be taught poems or stories(books) like this? perfectly described and analyzed. picking up every detail. just so nourishing to the mind.

[@ashasmith125]

2020 gang who has to do english at home due to corona ✌

[@notalxna0455]

jordi aimee yes lol

[@tomekczerepinski1860]

me

[@thesillypeople9642]

Same

[@SantheMountain]

2021 gang now as well

[@phoebewareham3114]

Yurp

[@dylanperks1441]

literally revising this before my English lit paper 2 (2019)

[@williamdrury-smith3972]

Dylan Perks good luck

[@amy034]

Good luck !

[@tadhgbenson1081]

Sameee

[@zaras9298]

I'm literally here the morning before

[@y2kccc]

Zara S same😂

[@katiewaters7649]

this is the best thing i’ve seen on my phone for ages, literally a god send

[@mrbruff]

Thank you! I have one on every poem.

[@ellie-maemorris7371]

The enjambment of 'Three of a kind all letting fly, and i swear I see every round as it rips through his life' could also be a link to the fact that even after the soldier has had his "break" or has left the army he can't forget that moment as the enjambment continues after the break

[@kathybramley5609]

There's also an emptiness at the core of the 'action'

[@amnahmvd8710]

YOU'RE HONESTLY A LIFE SAVER!! I have learnt so much more from you in 20 minutes than in class with my teacher! I appreciate it so much, thank you

[@justmehi4834]

4 years later you're still a legend 💅

[@seherali8331]

I always applaud after every video...great work mate

[@hyperbadger3764]

Colin+Shaun+Mr Bruff=our gcse saviours

[@murray6188]

Honestly bossman bruff giving me a grade 9

[@averageman2120]

Who else is here for homework

[@MmmmichaelGaming]

Levi ODonnell me

[@emilywilliams2190]

Yep

[@michaelharverson2063]

nah mate im just watching these for fun

[@rgjuanlol9854]

Same bro

[@somebody9606]

Assessment 😩

[@neavea3742]

Felt so lost in all my English lessons thinking I should move down a set and this has really cleared up some of my confusion. As well as teaching me new terminologies. Thank you

[@mrbruff]

Great!

[@samchowdhry575]

Mr bruff could you make videos on the inspector calls for the new gcses?

[@mrbruff]

+Sam Chowdhry done: check my playlists

[@samchowdhry575]

does that playlist apply to the new gcse as well as the old one?

[@mrbruff]

+Sam Chowdhry yes. With a literature text nothing changes

[@justsmile9340]

You're actually a lifesaver

[@rvpwill]

Sam Chowdhry is this Itz5aam

[@hannahjohnson7775]

another idea for the word "remains" could be to stay , to remain : the memory and distress of the looter remains with him

[@DavidWilliams-kj5uc]

It may be because I’m heavily stressed for my exam tommorow, but this was my breaking point. That is a beautiful observation that’s so powerful and adds so much insight into the poem

[@thundergaming9981]

LIFE SAVER I HATE MY ENGLISH TEACHER

[@glbal6523]

Thunder Gaming same i have this woman called Ms Chambers

[@SantheMountain]

He might as well be my teacher the amount of times I have to watch this for class (2nd national lockdown *yay* )

[@Justencrypted]

I only came here because of an assignment, subscribed because I felt I'd need this in about a year time

[@naimaa5738]

Well, I thought I'd left Macbeth behind, in the past - but obviously not! Seems like it's come back to haunt me... But on another note, thank you for this!

[@simranpanesar2832]

Naima Ahmed Haha ikr?! I was just going to focus on poetry and An Inspector Calls and not have to worry about Macbeth anymore! I guess not...

[@alexmaclean3364]

your videos are helping me out so much during this lock down period, thank you very much for providing this content to us free of charge !!

[@mrbruff]

You're welcome! Glad to help

[@lizziethepotatopancake8974]

You could say in the poem that there is a volta or a shift in tone around "end of story, except not really". In the first half of the poem, whilst the soldier is having flashbacks of the whole event, he uses colloquial, casual language, and in stanza 2 attempts to share the blame for the looter's death by emphasising the presence of the other soldiers. This could be interpreted by us by him attempting to avoid blame, or possibly having to push his emotions away due to his position as a soldier in war. However, after the volta, the soldier is describing the after-effects of the event, clearly shown by the quote "end of story, except not really". Here the soldier is alone with his own guilt, and it continually plays on his mind disrupting normal actions like when he goes to "Sleep" or when he has a "Dream". His remorse and struggle are shown through the use of plosive consonants and sibilance, e.g. "left for dead in some distant, sun-stunned, sand-smothered land. In the volta there is a shift in blame, and in the final couplet that is highlighted by the juxtaposition of the first person singular "my" and the third person singular "his", emphasising the soldier's feeling of lone responsibility for what happened to the looter.

[@wherermytacos5903]

This Chanel is a gift, if only there were a Mr Bruff for science

[@Hazaroth]

There is. Shaun from free science lessons

[@daisygauci5906]

You're brilliant. I am a qualified English teacher and I always watch your poetry tutorials (incase there is anything I have missed) as poetry isn't my forte! I can't thank you enough for these. You have boosted my confidence at teaching this unit tenfold ❤️

[@mrbruff]

fantastic! Thank you!

[@logie1002]

slide

[@SatisfyingSounds123]

mr buff without you i would be so dumb

[@mrbruff]

haha!

[@hakeems26]

i can see dat

[@thedoublepunch9608]

I think the poem is similar with 'The Extract from the Prelude' since it talks about doing/seeing something and afterwards having non-stop nightamers about it.

[@ivywhite2376]

Mr Bruff currently saving my gcse paper 2 tomorrow 🙏 thank you sooo much for posting these i'm hoping for a grade 8/9 you are a lifesaver

[@MrOsstis]

thank you so much im in yr 9 so i start my gcse work and its saving my life knowing i might pass in two years. Youre a god in the english classes

[@leahj1613]

MrOsstis the way how a year 9 has started revising and recapping before me and my exams are in three months 😂

[@Hypex-wq1ho]

Did you pass

[@101Gamebot]

The coincidence that I'm just starting to do this poem today as homework! Thank you for all the help :)

[@TheCallofdeath123]

101Gamebot lucky

[@lejammiedodgere]

Funnily enough, that's what I'm doing now! Although I think I'll only watch this after I'm done, so as to evaluate my work.

[@nicholasj.barlow8341]

Top Tip: If you feel the videos are too long and you are ok allowing your consciousness picking up info from the video whilst taking notes. Play at 2x speed (halving the video watch time, making it easier for revision). Also, Mr Bruff - keep it up. And, couldn't this be seen as an extended metaphor as the death of innocence because of war, possibly implying only when you become 'grown up' you start becoming responsible for your own actions. Possibly speaking on how young the soldiers who are used for his type of conflict, and possibly the lack of need of war.

[@shizasoomro8319]

mr bruff is literally the best. i don't know what i would do without him... this was soo helpful.

[@MrsRebelliouz]

Thank you so much Mr Bruff! I'm really hoping to get a high 6 in my mocks in three weeks in lit and lang. After January I'm hoping to bring up my grade to a secure 7 and your guides and videos are really helping me! Thank you so much.

[@mrbruff]

GREAT!

[@ay.wah23]

Very useful 👍 especially for a yr9 student coming to school from lockdown not knowing what is going on in English

[@noorenalfonso4303]

who's watching this without socks on?

[@felixdarlington5676]

WHAT THE... HOW ON EARTH DID YOU KNOW WHAT IS WRONG WITH YOU LOL just want to say it creeps me out because I am not wearing sox

[@slimyshark1139]

you know it

[@chrisheather3391]

I don't know why more people don't recommend these videos there brilliant

[@aaryanramani1699]

Your channel is the only motivating factor in my life for English... Thank you for being an amazing resource, especially at a time like this. Thank YOU!!!!!

[@imnotsarcastic8674]

I must personally thank you for my 2 7s i got in English GCSE this was compared to a 5 and 4 in most mocks- these videos are literally a must for all students in GCSEs

[@mrbruff]

Congratulations!

[@bronwynellis-richards5579]

There's nothing that makes me happier than watching these videos! Nerd alert? Maybe!

[@mrbruff]

+Bronwyn Ellis-Richards haha thank you!

[@rainbowchap6973]

Fast, snappy and straight to the point TO THE MEAT OF IT!! I like that...

[@annonymous5441]

I wish you were my English teacher

[@iqra4275]

got my gcses in may and these vidoes are helping me so much!

[@joshuachackada5200]

I've just stared leaning the context of paper 2 and this has already helped a lot. Thanks for ur time Mr Bruff

[@mrbruff]

No problem!

[@jamesroutledge79]

Anyone revising for English Lit Paper 2 on thursday? :D

[@athanassiospagalis913]

Bro I swear to God we are going to get Tissue or fucking Prelude and we are all going to kermit sewerside

[@emitsun8664]

@@athanassiospagalis913 nah nah tissue won't come up

[@treeclops3829]

sure am. watching these videos on 1.75x speed to try and cram in as much as I can before tomorrow, lol. good luck all!

[@Rho507]

@@treeclops3829 lol same😂

[@sharazali3581]

@@treeclops3829 same

[@soldorne6956]

It could also be commented on that at the end of the poem, Armitage juxtaposes the soldier and his victim. "His bloody life in my bloody hands." to convey the soldiers lingering connection to the killing which haunts him. "his" "my" It shows that the two are destined to carry out their remaining time linked in contrast with each other. The soldier forms a metaphorical image of his victim's, "life" even in death. Suggesting that the soldier cannot forget the horrors of war. Stuck in contrast with the conflict of his killing, it is inescapable.

[@soldorne6956]

genius

[@potatointhesky1232]

so it's requiem

[@user-qr2zi6xt7l]

you're definitely getting a 9

[@Username-ww2cd]

This is definately your best analysis. Absolutely fantastic. Like Wilfred Owen and Troman, I cannot think of a way to describe how helpful this video has been!

[@mrbruff]

Thanks for the feedback!

[@kevincen5736]

Should I really link poems to other pieces of text in an exam? -'bloody hands' like macbeth

[@lalaji92]

best analysis ever u r better than my English teacher

[@gamerps-hp4cu]

Hello mrbruff, Can you make a prediction/raw marks for 2017 gcse english lit paper 1 and paper 2. From G 9-1

[@olkore]

You need 80% for a D

[@olkore]

Your profile pic is that normie deus ex meme that died about 2 months ago mandem... Idk if you're in a position to talk

[@stephaniehb9921]

@@olkore honestly, not even funny

[@olkore]

I don't know man, who else do you see ironically reviewing coke. And yes I shall go and draw an amine dick.

[@olkore]

We all got our differences

[@gamerps-hp4cu]

thank you sir, i could anaylse a lot better on language, structure and form THANKS VERY MUCH. I am in year 10 and on my assessment i got more than i expected 44/68.... I will improve my work... Seroiusly your videos are very amazing resources I would recommend it to any gcse students.. Thanks again

[@mrbruff]

+gamer68 ps44 great!

[@TheYoungFilmmaker]

Yeah, super helpful

[@tomkat8475]

This is literally getting me my GCSE , thanks so much !

[@mrbruff]

happy to help

[@GreyBladeRover]

Thank you sir! This has really helped, my teacher set this as a homework assignment for tomorrow, and I forgot to do it, then I found this video, thank you so very very much!

[@mrbruff]

No problem!

[@samthebaconman123]

2019 gang?...

[@TOM-vk1sk]

no 2020

[@masonpurdy2458]

@@TOM-vk1sk no 2021

[@really-real-t-series-not-fake]

If free science lesson is our science teacher, this man is our English teacher

[@abigailwright7251]

"his bloody life in my bloody hands" could possibly be an intertextual link to Macbeth perhaps linking the way Macbeth goes insane from guilt just like the speaker after the Volta especially, with his PTSD supported by the quote "the drink and the drugs won't flush him out". Macbeth also deteriorates more once he is alone after Lady Macbeth killed herself just like the speaker being alone and distanced from the war zone. Another contribution to this is the mention of "sleep" and "dream" which is a key theme in Macbeth relating to the death!

[@tuuuujack184]

Thanks man, i have an english mock tomorrow.

[@ayeshad5170]

its 1am and i am watching all the war poems analysis... pls let me get a good mark ...

[@downizle3414]

is it possible you could focus more on the power and conflict parts of the poem and the rhyme, theme and imagery of the poems thanks

[@islahawkins]

could you say for ‘flush him out’ that the soldier is referring to flushing the version of himself that killed the looter out because he probably feels like a different person at home to how he did when he killed the looter? I would use it as a second perspective to also flushing out the looter from his mind.

[@mrbruff]

It's an interesting idea but the issue is that the 'him' in question is clearly established as the looter: 'and he bursts again through the doors of the bank. / Sleep, and he’s probably armed, and possibly not. / Dream, and he’s torn apart by a dozen rounds. / And the drink and the drugs won’t flush him out -

[@islahawkins]

@@mrbruff good point, thank you!

[@P1hkyo]

Yes it was really useful, I have an assesment tomorrow and it’s about comparing now i know more about remains

[@mrbruff]

Great!

[@hbakes64]

Not sure if this is any good but I thought that the use of in media res automatically throws the reader off balance and straight into the action - thus shocking them. This mimics the mental state of the soldier with PTSD, his brain is consistently throwing him into violent recollections of his past.

[@mrbruff]

That’s a great idea.

[@hbakes64]

@@mrbruff Thank you so much Mr Bruff!! Your videos have really helped me improve in English

[@bismah9735]

If I include the macbeth part (the bloody life in my body hands this you were talking about) will it expand my answer and give it a better grade or make it worse as it may not be relevant to the poem?

[@mrbruff]

+bizmehhx I wouldn't include it

[@kateylouise1775]

It’s better if you don’t include it because the examiner may think you don’t know what you’re talking about unless you explain it perfectly and reallyyyyy clearly

[@mc.smil3y795]

Lots I didn’t think about, great revision

[@mrbruff]

Thank you

[@maddiebarnes7830]

This is really pushing it but could the use of the phrase "three of a kind" imply a sense of objectification within the army. It almost suggests that they aren't individual people and instead just a mould of what the army has morphed them into being; in essence they're instruments used by authorities without regards for their mental stability

[@hh5559]

I have a PPE on Wednesday and I need to compare the language and structure of both Bayonet Charge and Remains, can someone help me?

[@darumhao]

Same I'm doing that tomorrow without the poems so I need to learn them

[@roryvorster4881]

This is 'bloody' amazing ;)

[@scribbleeyes8273]

How about this? The reference to bin men in stanza four suggests how the soldiers used to live normal lives and have normal jobs but joined the army not knowing that they will become broken men when they leave, as well as reflecting soldiers attitudes toward the enemy, by disrespecting them and treating them like rubbish. Could you also suggest that how bin men are seen as being not very well off, and that some soldiers use the army as an escape from poverty?

[@bertiet7593]

how about no

[@scribbleeyes8273]

Bertie T Is it not a good point??

[@jahva6546]

you could say that the soldier are almost thrown away by society after they serve in the army

[@bertiet7593]

please stop trying. you've either got it or you don't

[@jahva6546]

Bertie T look, some of us are trying our hardest to do well tomorrow and we dont need your pessimism

[@samnutt5330]

I need a mr bluff in every subject

[@williamdrury-smith3972]

Itz Extreme science is free science lessons

[@peacemgbedike2874]

are you going to do all the poems in the AQA Anthogoly book like poppies, kamikaze, the emigre and tissue?

[@mrbruff]

+Peace Mgbedike yes. One every Saturday

[@oliviaa827]

Twins, I see you peace !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@joespruce5466]

Peace Mgbedike they’ve already been done. Just look on his channel

[@Mineycart]

I have to watch this for school but I like Mr. bruff so 😀

[@mrbruff]

:)

[@InfralexWelcome]

amazing revision guide

[@theafricanking7141]

Thanks for your analysis - used It to compare with WP

[@joesteyn6599]

The discarded nature of the body draws parallels to how the narrator is ignored and simply tossed back into the world

[@Musichorro]

Nice one big boy bruff !!!!!

[@louisawotton4261]

HOW HAVE I ONLY JUST DISCOVERED YOU THANK YOU !!! life safer

[@mrbruff]

+louisa wotton :)

[@Ahmed-xl9gx]

No--one would survive without you so thanks

[@georginadawson2094]

Your videos are amazing they have improved my English so much!

[@kyleham9035]

you have helped me so much with this thank you so much

[@lucasprice1691]

Very useful revision resource thanks for this

[@sophiehole7545]

could you say that alternatively they brief reference to "somebody else and somebody else" shows that the narrator blames only himself and feels no need to specifically name or describe the other people because the blame is on him and only him?

[@Animalsareimportent2]

I guess you could, and if you back it up with evidence it won't be seen as "wrong". I never thought of that!

[@stefansalvas1854]

making notes to come back l8: 6:30 repetition of soemone du else 7:28 shift in end of change ‘my’ 8:34 embankment broken man soldier came after dying

[@Mozaid]

[@saudrehman8810]

just came across your channel and i really wish i saw these poem videos earlier

[@4tree]

dude, thank you.

[@chloetaylor7416]

Whos here from online school for english in y9 lol

[@notalxna0455]

Chloe Taylor not year 9 but year 10 yes

[@tonimahfud654]

This Video Was Helpful😅👏

[@BillboMC]

The use of rhyme with body and lorry almost sounds like a weak rhyme a child would make; possible showing how the narrator is trying to calm himself through indulging into a childhood of innocence as a way of avoiding the reality of what he has seen happen.

[@AS-mw6pw]

I wish I’d watched these videos sooner. Paper 2 is in like 3 days

[@mrbruff]

Yes that is a shame.

[@ahkash_t]

AS yeah I got my exam in a hour :(

[@AS-mw6pw]

Ahkash T how did it go mate?

[@faarisafzal5702]

very clear and concise thanks mr Bruff

[@Jackckm]

Good luck everyone

[@samihahussain216]

This made me understand the poem really well thank you so much This helped my homework

[@anthonywong5884]

11:41 : Language Starts

[@binduroy1]

Could you please make a video analysing how the character of Ebenezer Scrooge ( The Christmas Carol) develops through the novel. Please cause I am currently learning about it for my GCSE and it will really help me understand. Thank you!

[@samchowdhry575]

Bindu Roy yes could please do videos on the Christmas Carol please!!!!

[@zainabpatel2169]

thank you sooo much!!!! this was really helpful

[@charmaineb3664]

You’re inspiring - and amazing. Thank you.

[@gmaer7325]

i really envoyed this video. thank you mr bruff

[@mrbruff]

Great!

[@emmac9414]

thank you so much for these! my gcse target for English lit is a 9 so fingers crossed these will help me get there!!! I have my mocks in 3 weeks so will try and get a high 8... thank you again for all your help!

[@mrbruff]

+emma c excellent