Vergissmeinnicht (OCR GCSE English Literature): Flashcards
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15 cards from this deck
Author of 'Vergissmeinnicht' and lifespan
Author of 'Vergissmeinnicht' and lifespan
Keith Douglas (1920-1944)
Meaning of 'Vergissmeinnicht' in English
Meaning of 'Vergissmeinnicht' in English
Forget-me-not
Origin of poem's title
Origin of poem's title
Photo on dead enemy soldier w/ 'Steffi. Vergissmeinnicht'
Battle that inspired 'Vergissmeinnicht'
Battle that inspired 'Vergissmeinnicht'
Battle of El Alamein in North Africa
How Douglas died
How Douglas died
Killed in action after D-Day invasion in Normandy
What 'nightmare ground' metaphor represents
What 'nightmare ground' metaphor represents
Terrifying, confusing battlefield that seems unreal
'Soldier sprawling in the sun' - effect created
'Soldier sprawling in the sun' - effect created
Contrast between peaceful sun & lifeless body/casual vs death
'Like the entry of a demon' simile - what it shows
'Like the entry of a demon' simile - what it shows
Enemy seen as evil, supernatural, inhuman force
'Lover and killer are mingled' - paradox meaning
'Lover and killer are mingled' - paradox meaning
War merges soldier's identity as both loving & violent
Stanza form in 'Vergissmeinnicht'
Stanza form in 'Vergissmeinnicht'
Four-line stanzas with inconsistent rhyme scheme
Examples of half-rhymes/para-rhymes in poem
Examples of half-rhymes/para-rhymes in poem
'spoil/girl' and 'heart/hurt'
Structural technique - how details are revealed
Structural technique - how details are revealed
Gradual revelation, piece by piece
Narrator's reaction vs Steffi's imagined reaction to body
Narrator's reaction vs Steffi's imagined reaction to body
Narrator feels 'content' seeing enemy 'abased'; Steffi would 'weep'
Main effect of war presented in poem
Main effect of war presented in poem
Dehumanising and tragic
Name on photograph found on dead soldier
Name on photograph found on dead soldier
Steffi