Year 11 - English
Analysing ideas of dehumanisation and apathy in Ghose's 'Decomposition'
Poetry anthology (Assessment from summer 2027)
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Study Guides
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 four poems from the Eduqas poetry 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 analyse how Ghose presents ideas of dehumanisation and apathy in 'Decomposition'.
Key Notes
- The use of iambic pentameter may represent how homelessness is a regular occurrence in society.
- The enjambment may represent how society and people continue without stopping to help.
- The metaphorical imagery of decomposition could represent the dehumanisation of the beggar.
- The final word "solitude" could represent how alone the old man is in society.
- The flippant language such as "thrown aside" arguably shows how dehumanised the beggar is.
Vocabulary To Learn
- dehumanisation: regarding, representing, or treating (a person or group) as less than human
- apathy: behaviour that shows no interest or energy and shows that someone is unwilling to take action
- flippant: not showing a serious or respectful attitude
- decomposition: the state or process of rotting; decay
Common Mistakes To Avoid
- The final word of a poem is an unimportant detail.
3 Quick Questions (With Answers)
1. Explain this English learning goal in two key points.
The use of iambic pentameter may represent how homelessness is a regular occurrence in society. The enjambment may represent how society and people continue without stopping to help.
2. Define this language term and use it in a sentence. 'dehumanisation'
regarding, representing, or treating (a person or group) as less than human.
3. Correct this common English misunderstanding.
Mistake: The final word of a poem is an unimportant detail. Correction: The final word of the poem offers us the lasting impression of the poem's message.
More Lessons In This Unit
- Analysing ideas of belonging and heritage in McKay's 'I shall return' Study Guide
- Analysing ideas of belonging in Wordsworth's 'I wandered lonely as a cloud' Study Guide
- Analysing the poem 'War Photographer' Study Guide
- Comparing belonging in 'I wandered lonely as a cloud' and 'I Shall Return' Study Guide
- Comparing ideas of art in Duffy's 'War Photographer' and Ghose's 'Decomposition' Study Guide
- Planning an extended written response on the Eduqas 2025 poetry anthology Study Guide
- Understanding ideas of belonging in McKay's 'I Shall Return' Study Guide
- Understanding ideas of belonging in Wordsworth's 'I wandered lonely as a cloud' Study Guide
- Understanding ideas of dehumanisation and apathy in Ghose's 'Decomposition' Study Guide
- Understanding the poem 'War Photographer' Study Guide
- Writing an extended written response on the Eduqas 2025 poetry anthology Study Guide
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