The Émigrée vs Remains: AQA Power and Conflict Poetry Comparison (Grade 9 Guide)
Introduction
The Émigrée by Carol Rumens and Remains by Simon Armitage both explore conflict, memory, and the lasting psychological effects of violence, but from different perspectives. Rumens presents a speaker shaped by memory and displacement, while Armitage focuses on a soldier haunted by the trauma and guilt of war. Together, the poems suggest that conflict leaves deep emotional scars that continue long after the original events have ended.
Quick Comparison Summary
| Theme | The Émigrée | Remains |
|---|---|---|
| Conflict | Political conflict / exile | War / moral conflict |
| Memory | Idealised and protective | Disturbing and traumatic |
| Perspective | Reflective speaker | First-person soldier |
| Tone | Nostalgic, defiant | Conversational, disturbing |
| Structure | Controlled, consistent | Fragmented narrative |
Order Book Now
Key similarities: a Grade 9 comparison
Similarity 1: Both poems explore the lasting effects of conflict
In The Émigrée, conflict forces the speaker to leave her homeland.
In Remains, conflict continues psychologically after the war has ended.
Grade 9 Comparison Point:
Both poets show that conflict has long-term emotional consequences.
Similarity 2: Both poems explore memory
Rumens presents memory as comforting and protective.
Armitage presents memory as intrusive and painful.
Grade 9 Comparison Point:
Both poets show memory shaping identity and emotional experience.
Similarity 3: Both poems present human vulnerability
The speaker in The Émigrée is vulnerable due to displacement.
The speaker in Remains is vulnerable due to guilt and trauma.
Grade 9 Comparison Point:
Both poems highlight the psychological impact of conflict.
The Émigrée and Remains: key differences
Difference 1: Presentation of memory
The Émigrée
Memory is idealised and positive.
Remains
Memory is violent and haunting.
Grade 9 Comparison Point:
Rumens uses memory for comfort, Armitage presents it as torment.
Difference 2: Tone
The Émigrée
Reflective and hopeful.
Remains
Disturbing and unsettled.
Grade 9 Comparison Point:
Rumens preserves optimism, Armitage emphasises trauma.
Difference 3: Structure
The Émigrée
- Three controlled stanzas
- Consistent structure
Remains
- Fragmented narrative
- Shifts in time
Grade 9 Comparison Point:
Rumens reflects stability, Armitage reflects psychological disruption.
Buy T-Shirt Now
Key Quotes Comparison Table
| The Émigrée | Remains |
|---|---|
| “sunlight-clear” | “probably armed, possibly not” |
| “There once was a country” | “his bloody life in my bloody hands” |
| “they accuse me” | “blood-shadow stays” |
| “my memory of it is sunlight-clear” | “won’t flush him out” |
Context Comparison
The Émigrée
- Political exile and displacement
- Identity shaped by memory
Remains
- Based on Iraq War experiences
- Focus on PTSD and trauma
The Émigrée and Remains: Grade 9 model answers
Exam Question 1
Compare how poets present the effects of conflict in The Émigrée and Remains.
Grade 9 Model Response
Both Rumens and Armitage present conflict as something that leaves lasting emotional effects, but they explore these effects in different ways. In The Émigrée, conflict causes displacement and separation from the speaker’s homeland. The phrase “There once was a country” creates a sense of distance and nostalgia, suggesting that the speaker’s relationship with her country now exists mainly through memory. However, the repeated description of the country as “sunlight-clear” suggests that the speaker preserves a positive image of the past despite the political conflict that forced her to leave. This indicates that memory can provide emotional protection and help preserve identity.
In contrast, Remains presents conflict as psychologically destructive. The speaker is haunted by the memory of killing a man, introduced through the uncertain phrase “probably armed, possibly not”. This moral ambiguity creates guilt that continues long after the event. The repeated imagery of blood in “his bloody life in my bloody hands” suggests that the speaker cannot escape the consequences of his actions. Unlike Rumens’ speaker, who uses memory to maintain stability, Armitage’s speaker is trapped by traumatic recollection.
Structurally, Rumens uses a consistent form to reflect emotional control and resilience, while Armitage uses shifts between past and present to show how trauma disrupts the speaker’s mental state.
Therefore, both poets present conflict as emotionally damaging, but Rumens focuses on memory preserving identity, while Armitage highlights the destructive psychological effects of war.
Exam Question 2
Compare how poets present memory in The Émigrée and Remains.
Grade 9 Model Response
Both poems explore memory as a powerful force, but they present it in contrasting ways. In The Émigrée, memory is idealised and comforting. The phrase “my memory of it is sunlight-clear” suggests warmth, positivity, and emotional attachment. The repeated references to sunlight imply that memory helps the speaker maintain a strong sense of identity despite displacement. Although the speaker acknowledges political conflict through “they accuse me”, she resists allowing these negative realities to alter her memories.
In Remains, memory is presented as intrusive and disturbing. The speaker cannot escape his recollections, as shown in “the drink and the drugs won’t flush him out”. This suggests that memory has become psychologically overwhelming. The violent imagery of “blood-shadow stays” indicates that the traumatic event continues to affect the speaker’s mind.
Structurally, Rumens’ controlled structure reflects stable memory, while Armitage’s fragmented narrative reflects the uncontrollable nature of trauma.
Therefore, both poets show memory as powerful, but Rumens presents it as protective, while Armitage presents it as destructive.
Exam Question 3
Compare how poets present human vulnerability in The Émigrée and Remains.
Grade 9 Model Response
Both Rumens and Armitage present humans as vulnerable in the face of conflict, but they focus on different types of vulnerability. In The Émigrée, vulnerability is linked to displacement and identity. The speaker is vulnerable because she has lost her homeland and faces judgement from others, as suggested by “they accuse me”. However, her positive memories suggest emotional resilience.
In Remains, vulnerability is psychological and deeply personal. The speaker’s guilt and trauma leave him emotionally damaged, shown through the phrase “his bloody life in my bloody hands”. The colloquial tone makes this suffering feel realistic and immediate.
Structurally, Rumens’ controlled form reflects resilience despite vulnerability, while Armitage’s fragmented structure reflects mental instability.
Therefore, both poets show that conflict makes people vulnerable, but Rumens presents resilience through memory, while Armitage highlights the lasting psychological damage caused by violence.
Further Revision Links
- AQA Power and Conflict Poetry Anthology (All 15 Poems): https://englishmadesimple.org/aqa-power-and-conflict-poetry-anthology-complete-gcse-revision-guide-all-15-poems/
- The Émigrée – GCSE Poetry Guide: https://englishmadesimple.org/the-emigree-by-carol-rumens-gcse-poetry/
- Remains – Grade 9 Guide: https://englishmadesimple.org/remains-by-simon-armitage-how-to-get-a-grade-9-aqa-gcse-english-literature/
You might also like…
- Remains vs War Photographer: https://englishmadesimple.org/remains-vs-war-photographer/
- The Émigrée vs Exposure: https://englishmadesimple.org/the-emigree-vs-exposure/
- Kamikaze vs The Émigrée: https://englishmadesimple.org/kamikaze-vs-the-emigree/
Final Grade 9 Tip
When comparing these poems, remember: Rumens presents memory as a way of preserving identity after conflict, while Armitage shows memory becoming a source of guilt and psychological trauma.
