Power and Conflict Poetry Overview
The AQA Power and Conflict poetry anthology is one of the most important sections of GCSE English Literature. You'll study 15 poems exploring themes of power, conflict, nature, war, and identity.
What is Power and Conflict Poetry?
Exam Board: AQA GCSE English Literature (8702)
Paper: Paper 2 - Modern Texts and Poetry (Section B)
Marks: 30 marks (out of 96 for whole Paper 2)
Time: 45 minutes recommended
What you study: 15 poems from different time periods (Romantic to Contemporary)
Exam format: Compare a given poem with one of your choice from the anthology
Understanding the Exam Format
The Power and Conflict poetry question appears in Paper 2, Section B of your GCSE English Literature exam:
What to Expect in the Exam
- One poem is printed for you with the question
- You choose which poem to compare it with from the other 14 in the anthology
- Question format: "Compare how poets present [theme] in [given poem] and one other poem from Power and Conflict"
- 30 marks available: 24 marks for AO2 (language, structure, form) + 6 marks for AO1 (interpretations, terminology)
- The given poem is printed - you can annotate it!
- Your comparison poem must be quoted from memory
Important: You Must Know ALL 15 Poems!
You won't know which poem will be printed in the exam, so you must be prepared to write about ANY of the 15 poems. This means:
- Memorize 3-4 key quotes from every poem
- Understand themes in all poems
- Know which poems compare well together
- Practice with different poem combinations
All 15 Power and Conflict Poems at a Glance
Here's your complete overview of all poems in the AQA anthology. Jump to detailed themes analysis →
Ozymandias
Percy Bysshe Shelley (1818)
London
William Blake (1794)
The Prelude: Stealing the Boat
William Wordsworth (1850)
My Last Duchess
Robert Browning (1842)
The Charge of the Light Brigade
Alfred Tennyson (1854)
Exposure
Wilfred Owen (1917)
Storm on the Island
Seamus Heaney (1966)
Bayonet Charge
Ted Hughes (1957)
Remains
Simon Armitage (2008)
Poppies
Jane Weir (2009)
War Photographer
Carol Ann Duffy (1985)
Tissue
Imtiaz Dharker (2006)
The Emigrée
Carol Rumens (1993)
Checking Out Me History
John Agard (1996)
Kamikaze
Beatrice Garland (2013)
Key Themes in Power and Conflict Poetry
Understanding themes is crucial for choosing comparison poems and answering exam questions. Here are the major themes with poem links:
1. Power of Nature
Nature is presented as an overwhelming, destructive, or eternal force that humbles humanity.
- Ozymandias - Nature outlasts human power and pride
- Exposure - Nature (weather) is the true enemy, not humans
- Storm on the Island - Humans prepare but are helpless against nature's fury
- The Prelude - Nature inspires fear and awe in the speaker
2. Effects of War & Conflict
Physical and psychological impacts of war on soldiers and civilians.
- Remains - PTSD, guilt, haunting memories
- Exposure - Suffering, waiting, futility of war
- Bayonet Charge - Fear, confusion, loss of idealism
- Poppies - Mother's grief and loss
- War Photographer - Emotional detachment, society's indifference
- Kamikaze - Internal conflict, shame, ostracism
3. Abuse of Power & Tyranny
How power corrupts and is misused by those in authority.
- Ozymandias - Arrogant ruler, transient power
- London - Institutional power oppresses people
- My Last Duchess - Controlling, possessive Duke
- Checking Out Me History - Colonial power erases culture
4. Memory & Loss
How memories of conflict and loss stay with individuals.
- Remains - Can't escape haunting memory
- Poppies - Mother remembers son's childhood
- The Emigrée - Idealized memory of homeland
- Kamikaze - Remembered but ostracized by family
5. Identity & Culture
Personal and national identity, often in conflict with external forces.
- Checking Out Me History - Reclaiming cultural identity
- The Emigrée - Connection to lost homeland
- Kamikaze - Cultural expectations vs personal choice
- Tissue - Human connections transcend power structures
Practice identifying themes: Work through Power and Conflict poetry practice questions to test your knowledge.
How to Analyze Power and Conflict Poetry
Effective poetry analysis for GCSE English Literature requires a systematic approach. Use this framework for every poem:
The MITSL Method for Poetry Analysis
MITSL: Your Poetry Analysis Checklist
M - Meaning: What is the poem about? What is the poet's message?
I - Imagery: What images are created? What do they represent?
T - Techniques: What language devices are used? (metaphor, alliteration, personification, etc.)
S - Structure: How is the poem organized? (stanza form, rhyme scheme, rhythm, enjambment)
L - Links: How does this connect to the question/theme? Which other poems link?
Step-by-Step: Analyzing a Poem
Example: Analyzing "Ozymandias"
Look on my works, ye Mighty, and despair!"
Meaning: The tyrant boasts about his power, commanding others to be awed by his achievements.
Imagery: The "king of kings" suggests supreme power and arrogance.
Techniques:
- Irony: He commands people to "despair" at his greatness, but nothing remains - dramatic irony
- Hyperbole: "King of kings" - exaggerated self-importance
- Imperative: "Look" - commanding tone shows arrogance
Structure: Sonnet form traditionally used for love, but Shelley subverts this for political message about power's transience.
Links: Compares with My Last Duchess (abuse of power), London (critique of those in power), Storm on the Island (nature's power over human constructions).
Detailed Analysis: Key Poems
Here are detailed analyses of the most frequently examined poems:
Ozymandias by Percy Bysshe Shelley
Quick Summary
Form: Sonnet (14 lines)
Key Themes: Power of nature, pride, transience of power
Context: Romantic poet critiquing tyranny; written during era of political revolution
Key Message: All human power is temporary; nature and time destroy everything
Key Quotes & Analysis:
Of that colossal wreck, boundless and bare"
- "Nothing beside remains" - Absolute language; all power has vanished
- "Colossal wreck" - Oxymoron; once mighty, now destroyed
- "Boundless and bare" - Alliteration emphasizes emptiness; nature has reclaimed the land
Compares well with: My Last Duchess (arrogant rulers), Storm on the Island (nature's power), London (abuse of power)
Remains by Simon Armitage
Quick Summary
Form: Free verse, irregular rhythm (reflects chaotic PTSD)
Key Themes: Effects of war, PTSD, guilt, memory
Context: Based on Gulf War veteran's testimony; highlights mental impact of modern warfare
Key Message: War's psychological damage is permanent and inescapable
Key Quotes & Analysis:
- "Bloody" - Dual meaning: literal blood + intensifier (colloquial language shows soldier is ordinary person)
- Repetition: Emphasizes obsessive remembering characteristic of PTSD
- "In my bloody hands" - Taking responsibility, guilt, agency in death
- Repetition of entire phrase - Cyclical, can't escape the memory
- Enjambment throughout - Thoughts spill over, lack of control
- Casual tone ("probably armed, possibly not") - Contrasts with horror; desensitization through military language
Compares well with: Poppies (lasting impact of war), War Photographer (witnessing violence), Exposure (suffering in war), Bayonet Charge (fear in combat)
Storm on the Island by Seamus Heaney
Quick Summary
Form: Blank verse (unrhymed iambic pentameter)
Key Themes: Power of nature, fear, isolation, community
Context: Irish poet; can be read as metaphor for political conflict in Northern Ireland ("Stormont" = government)
Key Message: Despite preparation, humans are powerless against nature's invisible forces
Key Quotes & Analysis:
- "We are prepared" - Confident, declarative opening (ironic as they are NOT prepared)
- "Squat" - Low, sturdy; trying to resist nature but sounds unattractive
- First person plural "we" - Community working together
- "Huge nothing" - Oxymoron; wind is invisible but overwhelmingly powerful
- "Strange" - Implies irrational, but fear is very real
- Monosyllabic ending - Blunt, direct fear
Compares well with: Ozymandias (nature's power), Exposure (nature as enemy), The Prelude (fear of nature), Bayonet Charge (fear and helplessness)
How to Compare Power and Conflict Poems
Comparison is essential for GCSE English Literature poetry essays. Here's how to compare effectively:
Choosing Your Comparison Poem
When you see the exam question, quickly identify:
- The theme in the question (e.g., "effects of conflict," "power of nature")
- Which poems share this theme with the given poem
- Which poem you know best with strong quotes memorized
Pro Tip: Versatile Comparison Poems
These poems work well for MULTIPLE themes - memorize them thoroughly:
- Ozymandias: Nature, power, pride, tyranny
- Remains: War, conflict, memory, PTSD, guilt
- Exposure: War, nature, suffering, futility
- Storm on the Island: Nature, fear, community, conflict
- Poppies: War, loss, memory, grief
- London: Power, suffering, oppression, inequality
Comparison Discourse Markers
Use these phrases to integrate comparison throughout your essay:
| Type | Discourse Markers |
|---|---|
| Similarity | Similarly, Likewise, Both poets, In the same way, Equally, Also |
| Difference | In contrast, However, Whereas, On the other hand, Conversely, Unlike |
| Extension | Furthermore, Moreover, Additionally, Building on this |
Integrated vs Separate Comparison
Do This: Integrated Comparison
"In Ozymandias, Shelley uses the imperative 'Look' to show the tyrant's arrogance. Similarly, in My Last Duchess, Browning's Duke uses commands such as 'Notice Neptune' to demonstrate his controlling nature. Both poets employ imperatives to critique those who abuse power."
Don't Do This: Separate Comparison
"In Ozymandias, Shelley uses the imperative 'Look' to show arrogance. [3 more paragraphs about Ozymandias]... In My Last Duchess, the Duke uses commands to show control. [3 paragraphs about My Last Duchess]..."
This structure separates the poems - you lose comparison marks!
Essay Structure: PETAL Paragraphs
Use the PETAL structure for every paragraph in your Power and Conflict poetry essays:
PETAL Structure for Poetry Analysis
P - Point: Make a clear point answering the question
E - Evidence: Quote from the poem (embedded quotations work best)
T - Technique: Identify the language/structural technique
A - Analysis: Explain the EFFECT of the technique. What does it make the reader feel/think? Why did the poet choose this?
L - Link: Link back to question AND compare with your second poem
Example PETAL Paragraph
[POINT] Both Armitage and Owen present war as causing lasting psychological trauma that soldiers cannot escape.
[EVIDENCE + TECHNIQUE] In Remains, the soldier states "his bloody life in my bloody hands," using repetition and colloquial language.
[ANALYSIS] The repetition of "bloody" emphasizes the obsessive, cyclical nature of PTSD - the memory replays endlessly. The dual meaning (literal blood and intensifier) shows how the soldier's casual military language contrasts with the horror of taking a life, suggesting desensitization yet profound guilt. The first-person possessive "my hands" forces him to take personal responsibility, making escape impossible.
[LINK + COMPARISON] Similarly, in Exposure, Owen uses repetition of "But nothing happens" to show how soldiers are trapped in an endless cycle of suffering. However, whereas Armitage focuses on one traumatic moment, Owen presents the cumulative trauma of prolonged exposure to war's horrors, suggesting different but equally inescapable forms of psychological damage.
Essential Quotes to Memorize
You must memorize key quotes from ALL 15 poems. Here are the most important for each:
Top 3-4 Quotes Per Poem
Ozymandias:
- "My name is Ozymandias, king of kings"
- "Look on my works, ye Mighty, and despair!"
- "Nothing beside remains"
- "Boundless and bare / The lone and level sands"
Remains:
- "His bloody life in my bloody hands"
- "Probably armed, possibly not"
- "dug in behind enemy lines"
- "he's here in my head when I close my eyes"
Storm on the Island:
- "We are prepared: we build our houses squat"
- "Leaves and branches can raise a tragic chorus"
- "Strange, it is a huge nothing that we fear"
- "exploding comfortably"
London:
- "Marks of weakness, marks of woe"
- "Mind-forged manacles"
- "Every blackening church appalls"
- "Marriage hearse"
Poppies:
- "Spasms of paper red"
- "Smoothed down your shirt's / upturned collar"
- "All my words / flattened, rolled, turned into felt"
- "Released a song bird from its cage"
Practice memorization: Use our Power and Conflict poetry flashcards with spaced repetition to memorize quotes efficiently.
Language Techniques in Poetry Analysis
Identify and analyze these techniques in Power and Conflict poems:
Essential Poetic Techniques
- Metaphor: Comparing two things by saying one IS the other ("mind-forged manacles" - London)
- Simile: Comparing using 'like' or 'as' ("Like a forgotten war" - Poppies)
- Personification: Giving human qualities to non-human things ("nature might stand up" - Exposure)
- Alliteration: Repetition of consonant sounds ("boundless and bare" - Ozymandias)
- Sibilance: Repetition of 's' sounds (creates soft/sinister effect)
- Enjambment: Lines run on without punctuation (creates flow or urgency)
- Caesura: Pause in middle of line (creates emphasis or disruption)
- Repetition: Repeating words/phrases for emphasis
- Imperative: Commands ("Look" - Ozymandias)
- Semantic field: Group of related words (semantic field of violence in Remains)
Grade 9 Tip: Always Explain EFFECTS
Don't just spot techniques - explain their EFFECT on the reader:
- ❌ "The poet uses alliteration in 'boundless and bare'"
- ✅ "The alliteration of 'boundless and bare' emphasizes the vast emptiness, forcing the reader to hear the desolate landscape that has outlasted Ozymandias's empire. The hard 'b' sounds echo the harshness of this judgment on human pride."
Historical & Biographical Context
Context helps you understand the poet's intentions and adds depth to your analysis:
Romantic Poets (Early 1800s)
- Shelley (Ozymandias): Political radical, anti-monarchy, pro-French Revolution
- Blake (London): Critical of Industrial Revolution, church, monarchy
- Wordsworth (The Prelude): Believed in power of nature to teach moral lessons
War Poets
- Owen (Exposure): WWI soldier, died 1918 aged 25; wrote to expose war's reality
- Tennyson (Charge of the Light Brigade): Poet Laureate; celebrated heroism but hints at futility
- Hughes (Bayonet Charge): Post-WWII, rejected romantic notions of war
Contemporary Poets
- Armitage (Remains): Based on Gulf War veteran interviews; highlights modern PTSD
- Weir (Poppies): Written for Armistice Day; focuses on civilians affected by war
- Agard (Checking Out Me History): Caribbean-British; challenges Eurocentric education
Grade 9 Strategies for Power and Conflict Poetry
Achieving Grade 9 requires sophisticated analysis and original interpretation:
What Makes a Grade 9 Poetry Response?
Grade 9 Characteristics
- Perceptive interpretation: Original insights, not just repeating class notes
- Sophisticated vocabulary: Use literary terms accurately (volta, caesura, iambic pentameter)
- Alternative readings: "This could be interpreted as... However, one might argue..."
- Seamless comparison: Integrated throughout, not tagged on
- Context woven in: Natural integration, not forced paragraphs about history
- Precise analysis: Specific word-level analysis, not vague comments
Grade 9 Sentence Starters
For interpretation:
- "The poet's use of [technique] could be interpreted as..."
- "This ambiguity allows for multiple readings..."
- "One might argue that... However, alternatively..."
- "The subtle use of [technique] suggests..."
For sophisticated analysis:
- "The juxtaposition of X and Y creates a sense of..."
- "The semantic field of [theme] permeates the poem..."
- "This reflects the poet's wider concerns about..."
- "The structural choice to [technique] mirrors the content by..."
Exploring Alternative Interpretations
Example of Grade 9 Analysis:
The image of "spasms of paper red" in Poppies could be interpreted as representing the violent, involuntary nature of death in war - the word "spasms" suggesting uncontrolled bodily movements in death. However, one might alternatively read this as the mother's own emotional spasms of grief, the paper poppy becoming a symbol of her internal suffering. The ambiguity allows Weir to collapse the distinction between the son's potential physical death and the mother's emotional devastation, suggesting they are equally violent and uncontrolled. This interpretation is reinforced by the later image where her words are "flattened, rolled, turned into felt" - again, something external (words) and internal (emotion) are conflated through the extended metaphor of textile production.
Exam Technique & Time Management
45-Minute Essay Plan
Time Management
5 minutes: Read question, annotate given poem, choose comparison poem, plan
38 minutes: Write essay (3-4 PETAL paragraphs + intro + conclusion)
2 minutes: Check spelling, especially poets' names and literary terms
Planning Your Essay
Quick 5-minute plan:
- Identify theme: Underline key words in question
- Choose comparison poem: Which poem shares this theme?
- Find 3-4 quotes from each poem that relate to theme
- Identify techniques in each quote
- Note comparison points (similarities/differences)
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- ❌ Writing about poems separately (not comparing)
- ❌ Spotting techniques without explaining effects
- ❌ Retelling the poem ("The poem is about...")
- ❌ Quoting huge chunks (embed short quotes)
- ❌ Ignoring structure/form (only focusing on language)
- ❌ Feature-spotting without linking to question
- ❌ Writing context paragraphs separate from analysis
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I analyze Power and Conflict poetry for GCSE English Literature?
To analyze Power and Conflict poetry effectively:
- Identify the poem's main themes (power of nature, effects of conflict, etc.)
- Analyze language techniques (metaphors, personification, imagery) and explain their effects
- Examine structure and form (rhyme scheme, enjambment, stanza structure)
- Consider historical and biographical context
- Link to other poems with similar themes
Always use PETAL structure: Point, Evidence, Technique, Analysis, Link. For Grade 9, explore alternative interpretations and deeper meanings.
How do I compare two poems in the Power and Conflict anthology?
To compare Power and Conflict poems effectively:
- Find clear links between poems (similar themes, contrasting attitudes, different contexts)
- Use comparison discourse markers (Similarly, In contrast, However, Whereas, Both poets)
- Compare language techniques and their effects in both poems
- Compare structural choices (sonnet vs free verse, regular vs irregular rhythm)
- Compare contexts and how they influence meaning
Integrate comparison throughout your essay - don't write about one poem then the other separately.
What are the key themes in Power and Conflict poetry?
The key themes in AQA Power and Conflict poetry are:
- Power of Nature: Nature's superiority over humans (Storm on the Island, Exposure, Ozymandias)
- Power of Humans: Abuse of authority, tyranny (Ozymandias, My Last Duchess, Checking Out Me History)
- Effects of Conflict: Physical and psychological impacts of war (Remains, Poppies, War Photographer)
- Memory: How conflict stays with people (Remains, Poppies, Kamikaze)
- Identity and Culture: Personal and national identity (Checking Out Me History, Emigree, Kamikaze)
- Loss and Absence: What conflict takes away (Poppies, Kamikaze)
How long should my Power and Conflict poetry essay be?
For AQA GCSE English Literature Power and Conflict poetry (Section B, Paper 2), you have approximately 45 minutes and should write 3-4 sides of A4 (roughly 900-1200 words).
Structure: Brief introduction (2-3 sentences), 3-4 PETAL paragraphs with integrated comparison, brief conclusion (2-3 sentences).
Time breakdown: 5 minutes planning, 38 minutes writing, 2 minutes checking.
Quality of analysis is more important than length - focus on detailed language analysis and sophisticated comparison.
Which poems should I memorize quotes from for the exam?
You should memorize 3-4 key quotes from ALL 15 poems, as you won't know which will appear in the exam.
Focus on quotes that: 1) Show key language techniques, 2) Represent main themes, 3) Are short enough to remember (5-8 words ideal).
Prioritize versatile poems: Ozymandias, Remains, Storm on the Island, Exposure, Poppies, London, and War Photographer compare with many others.
The given poem is printed for you, but your comparison poem must be quoted from memory. Practice weekly using flashcards.
Revision Resources for Power and Conflict Poetry
📚 Practice Questions
Test your knowledge with exam-style questions on all 15 poems.
Try Power and Conflict poetry practice questions →
🎴 Poetry Flashcards
Memorize key quotes, themes, and techniques using spaced repetition.
Use Power and Conflict flashcards →
📖 Interactive Lessons
Step-by-step analysis of each poem with context and techniques.
Start interactive poetry lessons →
📝 Past Papers
Practice with real AQA exam questions and mark schemes.