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Year 11 - English

A comparison of 'Poppies' by Jane Weir with other Edexcel 'Conflict' poems

Conflict poetry continued

Unit Summary

In this unit, pupis read and analyse three poems from the 'Conflict' 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 across the anthology and practise crafting a sophisticated comparative essay,

Lesson Summary

You will learn to explain similarities and differences between poets' viewpoints.

Key Notes

  • 'Poppies' can be compared to many of the other war poems in the anthology.
  • Unlike other war poems, 'Poppies' focuses on the relatives of soldiers who go off to war.
  • 'Poppies' could be compared with poems that explore inner conflict and themes of loss.
  • It's important to choose poems that complement each other and avoid tenuous links.
  • Comparative language enables us to signpost the similarities and differences between two poems.

Vocabulary To Learn

  • futility: uselessness, pointlessness or ineffectiveness
  • periphery: the outer edges or boundary of something
  • tenuous: lacking a strong basis, support, or clarity; weak or easily challenged
  • complement: when something supports something else or makes it more effective
  • in media res: a story begins in the middle of the action without any exposition or introduction

Common Mistakes To Avoid

  • Poppies is a poem about a mother whose son died during WWI.

3 Quick Questions (With Answers)

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

'Poppies' can be compared to many of the other war poems in the anthology. Unlike other war poems, 'Poppies' focuses on the relatives of soldiers who go off to war.

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

uselessness, pointlessness or ineffectiveness.

3. Correct this common English misunderstanding.

Mistake: Poppies is a poem about a mother whose son died during WWI. Correction: Although Poppies are a symbol of remembrance for those who died in WWI, Weir uses her poem to draw attention to the many conflicts that have occurred throughout history. It isn't clear which conflict the son is heading off to fight in.

More Lessons In This Unit

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