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Year 10 - English

Analysing ideas of home, upheaval and heritage in Hardi's 'My Mother's Kitchen'

'Belonging'

Unit Summary

In this unit, pupis explore 12 of the 15 poems from the 'Belonging' anthology. Pupils complete two lessons on 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 at key points in the unit.

Lesson Summary

You will learn to explain how Hardi uses language and structure to present ideas of home, upheaval and heritage in 'your Mother's Kitchen'.

Key Notes

  • The language around the upheaval implies that refugees lose their sense of belonging and purpose.
  • Potentially, Hardi may have focused on mundane objects to show how refugees create homes for themselves.
  • Arguably, the structure of the poem may reflect the constant upheaval of the refugees lives.
  • We might read the "trees" in the poem as a metaphor for the speaker's heritage and family traditions.
  • The final line may suggest that the upheaval has caused the speaker to lose their connection to their heritage.

Vocabulary To Learn

  • upheaval: a violent or sudden change or disruption to something
  • heritage: the history, traditions, practices etc. of a particular country, society
  • mundane: something ordinary and practical; not interesting
  • inherit: to receive money, property or possessions from someone after the person has died
  • refugee: a person who has been forced to leave their country in order to escape war, persecution or natural disaster

Common Mistakes To Avoid

  • That material possessions don't matter.

3 Quick Questions (With Answers)

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

The language around the upheaval implies that refugees lose their sense of belonging and purpose. Potentially, Hardi may have focused on mundane objects to show how refugees create homes for themselves.

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

a violent or sudden change or disruption to something.

3. Correct this common English misunderstanding.

Mistake: That material possessions don't matter. Correction: While material possessions can be replaced, nevertheless they do provide a sense of safety and comfort for us.

More Lessons In This Unit

Browse all guides in the Year 10 English guide library.