Year 9 - English
Analysing John McCrae's call to arms in 'In Flanders Fields'
Comparing poetry from the First World War
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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, pupils explore how poets responded to the horrors of the First World War. They first explore Brooke's 'The Soldier', before looking at McCrae's 'In Flanders Fields' and Naidu's 'The Gift of India'. They finally write a comparative response on perspectives of war and sacrifice.
Lesson Summary
You will learn to explain how McCrae uses natural imagery, euphonic sounds and structure to present a call to arms.
Key Notes
- The natural imagery of the poppy and the lark suggests that it's natural to die for your country
- The euphonic sounds create a soothing tone to the poem
- McCrae uses the imagery of sunlight to represent life and death
- The last lines act as a warning to the reader, saying the dead will never sleep if we do not continue their fight
Vocabulary To Learn
- Natural imagery: Natural imagery is the use of images of animals, landscapes and nature in a poem.
- Symbolise: To symbolise means to represent something.
- Soothing: Soothing means to have a calming effect.
- Reassurance: Reassurance is the action of removing someone's doubts or fears.
- Consequence: Consequence is a result or effect, typically one that is unwelcome or unpleasant.
Common Mistakes To Avoid
- That natural imagery is only designed to help paint a picture to the reader.
3 Quick Questions (With Answers)
1. Explain this English learning goal in two key points.
The natural imagery of the poppy and the lark suggests that it's natural to die for your country. The euphonic sounds create a soothing tone to the poem.
2. Define this language term and use it in a sentence. 'Natural imagery'
Natural imagery is the use of images of animals, landscapes and nature in a poem.
3. Correct this common English misunderstanding.
Mistake: That natural imagery is only designed to help paint a picture to the reader. Correction: Natural imagery can also be used to suggest a concept is natural or make a comment about the relationship between humans and nature.
More Lessons In This Unit
- Analysing the humanity and fragility of soldiers in Naidu's 'The Gift of India' Study Guide
- Analysing the presentation of patriotism in Rupert Brooke's 'The Soldier' Study Guide
- Comparing views in 'The Soldier', 'In Flanders Fields' and 'The Gift of India' Study Guide
- Considering the relationship between the poetry of WW1 and the context Study Guide
- Understanding ideas of Empire and colonialism in Naidu's 'The Gift of India' Study Guide
- Understanding patriotism in Rupert Brooke's 'The Soldier' Study Guide
- Understanding the concept of remembrance in John McCrae's 'In Flanders Fields' Study Guide
- Writing a comparative response on perspectives of war and sacrifice in WW1 poems Study Guide
- Writing about John McCrae's 'In Flanders Fields' as a call to arms Study Guide
- Writing about patriotism in Rupert Brooke's 'The Soldier' Study Guide
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