Themes across the cluster
Themes across the cluster
| Theme | Poems |
|---|---|
| Power of nature | Storm on the Island, Exposure, The Prelude, Kamikaze |
| Power of humans and rulers | Ozymandias, My Last Duchess, London, Tissue, Checking Out Me History |
| The reality of war | Exposure, Bayonet Charge, Remains, The Charge of the Light Brigade, War Photographer |
| Effects of conflict on families | Poppies, Kamikaze |
| Memory | Remains, Poppies, The Émigrée, Kamikaze, War Photographer, The Prelude |
| Identity and belonging | Checking Out Me History, The Émigrée, Tissue, Kamikaze |
| Pride and arrogance | Ozymandias, My Last Duchess |
| Guilt and trauma | Remains, War Photographer |
Most poems fit several themes, so learn each poem's main idea and two or three links.
Key terms
Groups by period
The cluster spans over 200 years:
- (around 1800): London, The Prelude, Ozymandias. They wrote about nature, imagination and protest against power.
- : My Last Duchess, The Charge of the Light Brigade.
- : Exposure.
- Later 20th century: Storm on the Island, Bayonet Charge, War Photographer, The Émigrée.
- 21st century: Remains, Poppies, Tissue, Checking Out Me History, Kamikaze.
Knowing when a poem was written helps with context (AO3).
Key terms
Poems of conflict, at a glance
| Poem | Who suffers | When |
|---|---|---|
| The Charge of the Light Brigade | Cavalry in battle | Crimean War, 1854 |
| Exposure | Soldiers in the trenches | First World War |
| Bayonet Charge | One soldier, mid-charge | First World War |
| Kamikaze | A pilot, and his family | Second World War |
| War Photographer | Distant victims, and the photographer | Late 20th century |
| Remains | A soldier, afterwards | Recent wars, such as Iraq |
| Poppies | A mother at home | Recent wars |
Exam tip
Pick a comparison poem that gives you something to say: a clear similarity and a clear difference.