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Year 10 - English

Analysing the poem 'The Emigree'

'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 explore how Rumens uses language and structure to explore the impact of conflict on personal identity.

Key Notes

  • Sunlight in the poem could represent hope, power of place or an idealised version of the past.
  • Free verse could reflect a conflicted identity.
  • Regular line length seems to reflect the speaker coming to terms with the two parts of her identity.
  • Personification likens the city to a child, perhaps reflecting the speaker wanting to take care of it as it did for her.
  • The final line of the poem is defiant, suggesting that cherishing memory defies the oppression of tyranny.

Vocabulary To Learn

  • Pervade: spread through every part of
  • Idyllic: extremely happy, peaceful, picturesque
  • Idealised: regarded as perfect or better than in reality
  • Epistrophe: the repetition of a word at the end of a sentence or stanza

Common Mistakes To Avoid

  • Pupils may not initially link all of the examples of personification together.

3 Quick Questions (With Answers)

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

Sunlight in the poem could represent hope, power of place or an idealised version of the past. Free verse could reflect a conflicted identity.

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

spread through every part of.

3. Correct this common English misunderstanding.

Mistake: Pupils may not initially link all of the examples of personification together. Correction: Explain to pupils that finding patterns in the text can be very useful to help create a thoughtful idea about the poem.

More Lessons In This Unit

Browse all guides in the Year 10 English guide library.