Year 11 - English
Analysing the poem 'Poppies'
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 explore how Weir uses language and structure to explore grief.
Key Notes
- The title could be suggestive of remembrance, the many grieving mothers of war or the outward display of deeper grief.
- Bird imagery may reflect the mother letting go of her son or the way in which she represses her grief.
- Two sestets either side of two longer stanzas may suggest the mother trying hard to contain her emotions for her son.
- The domestic and textile imagery may also show the mother's containment of grief.
- Textile imagery also suggests the limitations of the mother's ability to protect her son outside of the home.
Vocabulary To Learn
- Grief: intense sorrow usually associated with the death of something or someone
- Repress: to keep something under control and not let it come to the surface
- Selflessness: concern more with the desires and needs of others rather than one's own
Common Mistakes To Avoid
- Pupils may not notice the significance of the textile imagery.
3 Quick Questions (With Answers)
1. Explain this English learning goal in two key points.
The title could be suggestive of remembrance, the many grieving mothers of war or the outward display of deeper grief. Bird imagery may reflect the mother letting go of her son or the way in which she represses her grief.
2. Define this language term and use it in a sentence. 'Grief'
intense sorrow usually associated with the death of something or someone.
3. Correct this common English misunderstanding.
Mistake: Pupils may not notice the significance of the textile imagery. Correction: The textile imagery was carefully chosen for the poem, Jane Weir would have been very conscious of putting this in as she was a textile designer.
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 'Cousin Kate' by Christina Rossetti 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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