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Year 10 - English

Analysing Hardy's presentation of the consequences of war in 'A Wife in London'

Poetry anthology (Assessment until summer 2026)

Unit Summary

In this unit, pupis explore 14 of the 18 poems from the Eduqas poetry anthology. Pupils complete two lessons about each poem: one on understanding and one on analysis. Pupils study the poems in a thematically linked order so they can complete comparative and thematic lessons during the unit.

Lesson Summary

You will learn to analyse how Thomas Hardy presents the devastating consequences of war.

Key Notes

  • Hardy uses figurative language in Stanza one to create a foreboding atmosphere and foreshadow the devastating news.
  • Hardy uses pathetic fallacy and symbolism across the poem to reflect the wife's isolation, confusion and loneliness.
  • The use of third person perspective creates a detached tone and gives the poem universality.
  • The poem's consistent and therefore predictable rhyme scheme reflects the inevitability of loss in war.
  • Hardy uses punctuation to convey the wife's shock as she struggles to process the devastating news.

Vocabulary To Learn

  • foreshadow: when the writer makes subtle hints about what is to come
  • morbid: showing an interest in dark or unpleasant subjects, particularly death
  • gruesome: causing repulsion or horror
  • monumental: great in importance or size
  • senseless: extremely foolish - lacking sense

Common Mistakes To Avoid

  • Students are quick to identify a poem's rhyme scheme, but they often fail to explain its effect or why it has been used.

3 Quick Questions (With Answers)

1. Explain this English learning goal in two key points.

Hardy uses figurative language in Stanza one to create a foreboding atmosphere and foreshadow the devastating news. Hardy uses pathetic fallacy and symbolism across the poem to reflect the wife's isolation, confusion and loneliness.

2. Define this language term and use it in a sentence. 'foreshadow'

when the writer makes subtle hints about what is to come.

3. Correct this common English misunderstanding.

Mistake: Students are quick to identify a poem's rhyme scheme, but they often fail to explain its effect or why it has been used. Correction: In this poem, Hardy arguably uses the same rhyme scheme throughout to reflect the inevitability of death and grief as a result of war. The rhyme scheme becomes a pattern in the same way that death and devastation becomes a pattern in war.

More Lessons In This Unit

Browse all guides in the Year 10 English guide library.