Remains vs War Photographer: AQA Power and Conflict Poetry Comparison (Grade 9 Guide)
Introduction
Remains by Simon Armitage and War Photographer by Carol Ann Duffy are two powerful modern poems in the AQA Power and Conflict anthology. Both poems explore the lasting psychological effects of conflict and show that war continues long after the violence ends. However, Armitage focuses on the personal guilt of a soldier directly involved in killing, while Duffy explores the emotional burden of someone who witnesses suffering and society’s indifferent response.
This Grade 9 comparison guide will help you compare both poems confidently in exams.
Quick Comparison Summary
| Theme | Remains | War Photographer |
|---|---|---|
| Trauma | Personal PTSD | Secondary trauma |
| Guilt | Central theme | Moral responsibility |
| Memory | Haunting flashbacks | Developed photographs trigger memories |
| Conflict | Soldier experience | Civilian witness experience |
| Society | Less focus | Strong criticism of readers |
Similarity 1: Both poems show war causes lasting trauma
In Remains, the speaker cannot escape memory: “I see every round as it rips through his life.” The present tense verb “see” suggests the event is relived repeatedly.
In War Photographer, memories return in the darkroom as images begin to develop. The photographer remembers “a stranger’s features faintly start to twist before his eyes”.
Grade 9 Comparison Point:
Both poets show war continuing psychologically after physical conflict has ended.
Similarity 2: Both poems reject glamorous ideas of war
Armitage presents killing brutally through “sort of inside out”, a shocking image of bodily destruction.
Duffy uses “blood stained into foreign dust” to show real human suffering rather than heroic victory.
Grade 9 Comparison Point:
Both poems expose the ugly human cost of conflict.
Similarity 3: Both speakers feel burdened by what they witnessed
In Remains, guilt dominates the ending: “his bloody life in my bloody hands.”
In War Photographer, the speaker is compared to “a priest preparing to intone a Mass”, suggesting solemn moral duty.
Grade 9 Comparison Point:
Both poems show conflict creating emotional burdens that cannot easily be removed.
Difference 1: Source of trauma
Remains
Trauma comes from committing violence.
War Photographer
Trauma comes from witnessing and recording violence.
Grade 9 Comparison Point:
Armitage explores guilt from action, while Duffy explores distress from observation.
Difference 2: Society’s role
In Remains, focus stays on the individual mind.
In War Photographer, Duffy criticises readers whose “eyeballs prick with tears between the bath and pre-lunch beers”.
Grade 9 Comparison Point:
Duffy widens responsibility to society, while Armitage remains intensely personal.
Difference 3: Structure
Remains
- Conversational monologue
- Fragmented memory
- Shift from battlefield to home
- Abrupt ending confession
War Photographer
- Four regular stanzas
- Controlled form
- Movement from darkroom to readers
- Final return to photographer alone
Grade 9 Comparison Point:
Armitage mirrors unstable trauma, while Duffy contrasts ordered form with chaotic suffering.
Key Quotes Comparison Table
| Remains | War Photographer |
| “probably armed, possibly not” | “spools of suffering” |
| “I see every round” | “a priest preparing to intone a Mass” |
| “blood-shadow stays” | “blood stained into foreign dust” |
| “his bloody life in my bloody hands” | “they do not care” |
Context Comparison
Remains
- Inspired by interviews with soldiers returning from Iraq.
- Modern focus on PTSD and trauma.
War Photographer
- Inspired by Duffy’s friendship with a war photographer.
- Examines media coverage of conflict.
Grade 9 Comparison Point:
Both poems reflect modern warfare’s psychological impact rather than traditional battlefield glory.
How to Write a Grade 9 Comparison Paragraph
Both Armitage and Duffy show that conflict continues after war ends. In Remains, the soldier relives violence through the present tense “I see every round”, suggesting PTSD and intrusive memory. Similarly, in War Photographer, developing photographs causes memories to return. However, Armitage focuses on guilt after killing, whereas Duffy explores the emotional burden of witnessing suffering and society’s failure to care.
Exam Question 1
Compare how poets present the lasting effects of conflict in Remains and War Photographer.
Grade 9 Model Response
Both Armitage and Duffy present conflict as psychologically lasting. In Remains, the speaker remains haunted by killing someone, shown in “I see every round as it rips through his life”. The present tense implies the event is repeatedly replayed in his mind.
Similarly, in War Photographer, memories emerge as photographs develop. The darkroom becomes a place where hidden trauma resurfaces. This suggests witnesses of war also carry long-term damage.
However, the nature of suffering differs. Armitage focuses on guilt and responsibility, culminating in “his bloody life in my bloody hands”. Duffy instead emphasises helpless witness and frustration that “they do not care”. Therefore, both poets show conflict lasting beyond battle, but from different emotional perspectives.
Exam Question 2
Compare how poets present guilt and responsibility in Remains and War Photographer.
Grade 9 Model Response
Both poems explore moral burden, though in different ways. In Remains, uncertainty begins immediately with “probably armed, possibly not”. This hesitation suggests the speaker doubts whether the killing was justified. His guilt becomes overwhelming by the final line.
In War Photographer, responsibility is presented through duty. The photographer is “a priest preparing to intone a Mass”, suggesting reverence toward victims and a responsibility to reveal truth.
Structurally, Remains becomes more fragmented as guilt intensifies, whereas War Photographer remains controlled, perhaps reflecting professionalism masking emotion. Therefore, Armitage presents guilt as personal torment, while Duffy presents responsibility as solemn obligation.
Exam Question 3
Compare how poets use structure to present trauma in Remains and War Photographer.
Grade 9 Model Response
Armitage and Duffy both use structure to show trauma, but in contrasting ways. Remains uses a conversational monologue that becomes increasingly unstable. The shift from battlefield memory to home life demonstrates that trauma crosses physical boundaries.
In contrast, War Photographer uses four regular stanzas, creating order. Yet within this controlled structure are disturbing memories and criticism of readers. This contrast suggests suffering is often hidden beneath calm surfaces.
Both poems end powerfully. Remains closes with personal guilt, while War Photographer ends with the photographer returning alone to more conflict. Therefore, Armitage presents trauma as intrusive mental chaos, while Duffy presents it as controlled but enduring burden.
Further Revision Links
To strengthen your comparison skills, read the full anthology hub and detailed poem guides:
- AQA Power and Conflict Poetry Anthology (All 15 Poems): https://englishmadesimple.org/aqa-power-and-conflict-poetry-anthology-revision-guide/
- Remains by Simon Armitage – How to Get a Grade 9: https://englishmadesimple.org/remains-by-simon-armitage-how-to-get-a-grade-9-aqa-gcse-english-literature/
- War Photographer by Carol Ann Duffy – How to Get a Grade 9: https://englishmadesimple.org/war-photographer-by-carol-ann-duffy-how-to-get-a-grade-9-aqa-gcse-english-literature/
Use these pages to revise quotes, context, themes, and Grade 9 essay ideas before attempting comparison questions.
Final Grade 9 Tip
When comparing these poems, remember: Armitage shows the guilt of doing violence, while Duffy shows the burden of witnessing violence.
