Year 11 - English
Comparing ideas of art in Duffy's 'War Photographer' and Ghose's 'Decomposition'
Poetry anthology (Assessment from summer 2027)
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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 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 compare how Duffy and Ghose present ideas of art and futility in 'War Photographer' and 'Decomposition'.
Key Notes
- Arguably, we might see Duffy's poem as a critique of the viewer and their response to suffering in art.
- We might see Ghose's poem as a critique of humanity and the artist.
- Arguably, we might see Duffy demonstrating the futility of using art to inspire action against suffering.
- Potentially, we might see Ghose suggesting the futility of trying to capture human suffering through art.
Vocabulary To Learn
- obligation: something that a person feels morally or legally forced to do
- chide: to speak to someone severely because the person has behaved badly
- presumption: behaviour perceived as arrogant, disrespectful, and inappropriate
- futility: the fact of having no effect or of achieving nothing
Common Mistakes To Avoid
- Taking a photograph of someone's suffering is an effective way of showing their suffering to others.
3 Quick Questions (With Answers)
1. Explain this English learning goal in two key points.
Arguably, we might see Duffy's poem as a critique of the viewer and their response to suffering in art. We might see Ghose's poem as a critique of humanity and the artist.
2. Define this language term and use it in a sentence. 'obligation'
something that a person feels morally or legally forced to do.
3. Correct this common English misunderstanding.
Mistake: Taking a photograph of someone's suffering is an effective way of showing their suffering to others. Correction: Arguably, both Duffy and Ghose reveal the futility of using art as a means of showing their suffering to others.
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 ideas of dehumanisation and apathy in Ghose's 'Decomposition' Study Guide
- Analysing the poem 'War Photographer' Study Guide
- Comparing belonging in 'I wandered lonely as a cloud' and 'I Shall Return' 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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