Study Hub

Study Guides

This pupil-friendly study guide includes a unit summary, clear notes, common mistakes, and quick questions with answers.

Back to Study HubBrowse Year 11 English Guides

Year 11 - English

Comparing unconventional relationships in the 'Love and Relationships' anthology

Love and relationships poetry continued

Unit Summary

In this unit, pupis read and analyse three poems from the 'Love and Relationships' anthology. Pupils complete two lessons about each poem: one on understanding and one on analysis. At the end of the unit, pupils analyse themes from the anthology and analyse the modern and Victorian poems as groups.

Lesson Summary

You will learn to identify similarities and differences between 'Singh Song', 'The Farmer's Bride' and 'Porphyria's Lover'.

Key Notes

  • Mew and Browning describe dysfunctional relationships whilst Nagra describes an unconventional yet loving relationship.
  • Both Nagra and Browning describe female characters who are sexually liberated and defy societal expectations.
  • Mew and Browning depict dramatic monologues where speakers have dangerously misogynistic mindsets.
  • Mew and Browning both use natural imagery to represent the speaker's emotions.
  • Nagra is the only poet who describes a genuinely romantic relationship.

Vocabulary To Learn

  • Dysfunctional: not operating properly or normally
  • Defy: to openly resist or challenge
  • Unconventional: not conforming to usual standards
  • Thesis: a central argument or statement put forward in writing

Common Mistakes To Avoid

  • All of these poems present relationships which are dysfunctional in some way.

3 Quick Questions (With Answers)

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

Mew and Browning describe dysfunctional relationships whilst Nagra describes an unconventional yet loving relationship. Both Nagra and Browning describe female characters who are sexually liberated and defy societal expectations.

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

not operating properly or normally.

3. Correct this common English misunderstanding.

Mistake: All of these poems present relationships which are dysfunctional in some way. Correction: Although 'Porphyria's Lover' and 'The Farmer's Bride' appear to show abusive, controlling relationships, the relationship in 'Singh Song!' is presented as a much more conventionally loving one.

More Lessons In This Unit

Browse all guides in the Year 11 English guide library.