Guidelines

• Your essay should present a clear thesis that directly addresses the claim above.
• Choose at least three specific moments from the poem and analyze how Armitage's language choices (e.g., metaphor, diction, enjambment, rhyme) enhance the poem's central themes.
• Reflect on how the speaker's perspective influences the reader's understanding of trauma and intimacy.
• Conclude by considering the wider significance of the poem: what does Armitage convey about the enduring impact of conflict?

Word count

800–1,200 words

Guiding Questions to Consider Before Writing

• How does the poem's couplet structure mirror the speaker's fragmented efforts to connect with her partner?
• What does the extended metaphor of physical exploration reveal about emotional and psychological obstacles?
• How do Armitage's word choices (e.g., "handle," "explore," "finger and thumb") convey both tenderness and struggle?
• In what ways does the poem imply that achieving a full understanding of trauma might be unattainable?

Requirements

• Formulate a clear, arguable thesis in your introduction.
• Use close textual evidence (quotations and specific references) to support each body paragraph.
• Analyze the impact of language choices — avoid merely identifying devices.
• Reflect on the poem's context (the experiences of soldiers returning from conflict) where relevant.
• Suggested length: 4–6 paragraphs.