Year 11 - English
Analysing the poem 'Cousin Kate' by Christina Rossetti
Conflict poetry continued
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This pupil-friendly study guide includes a unit summary, clear notes, common mistakes, and quick questions with answers.
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 how Rossetti uses language, form and structure to express her viewpoint.
Key Notes
- The poem takes the form of a dramatic monologue.
- It also uses many traditional ballad conventions.
- Juxtaposition may have been used to create tension in the poem.
- Rhetorical questions may have been used to convey confusion about the conflict women faced in society.
- Rhyme is used to emphasise and link meanings in the poem.
Vocabulary To Learn
- incredulity: being unable or unwilling to believe something; disbelief
- pastoral: literature idealising rural life and nature, often contrasting with urban experiences
- anaphora: repetition of a word or phrase at the beginning of successive clauses or sentences
- dramatic monologue: a poem where a single character speaks to a silent audience, revealing their thoughts
- ballad: a narrative poem, often set to music, using simple language, repetition, and a regular rhyme scheme
Common Mistakes To Avoid
- The speaker feels as though her cousin Kate has ruined her life completely.
3 Quick Questions (With Answers)
1. Explain this English learning goal in two key points.
The poem takes the form of a dramatic monologue. It also uses many traditional ballad conventions.
2. Define this language term and use it in a sentence. 'incredulity'
being unable or unwilling to believe something; disbelief.
3. Correct this common English misunderstanding.
Mistake: The speaker feels as though her cousin Kate has ruined her life completely. Correction: While the speaker does feel that Kate has stolen the life she deserved/desired, she also feels that she can have the 'last laugh' since she has given birth to the nobleman's son.
More Lessons In This Unit
- A comparison of 'Poppies' by Jane Weir with other Edexcel 'Conflict' poems Study Guide
- Analysing an extended and developed response on Edexcel 'Conflict' poetry Study Guide
- Analysing the poem 'Catrin' by Gillian Clarke Study Guide
- Analysing the poem 'Poppies' Study Guide
- Comparing women's conflict in the Edexcel 'Conflict' anthology Study Guide
- Making connections between poems in the Edexcel 'Conflict' cluster Study Guide
- Planning an extended and developed response on Edexcel 'Conflict' poetry Study Guide
- Understanding the poem 'Catrin' by Gillian Clarke Study Guide
- Understanding the poem 'Cousin Kate' by Christina Rossetti Study Guide
- Understanding the poem 'Poppies' Study Guide
- Writing an extended and developed response on Edexcel 'Conflict' poetry Study Guide
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