Analysing 'Cozy Apologia' by Rita Dove

English

In 'Poetry anthology', pupils compared the language, form and structure of a variety of poems. In 'Poetry anthology continued', pupils work on making more nuanced comparisons between poems.

In 'A World at War: Poetry', pupils explore how poets presents the atrocities of World War One through their poetry. In 'Poetry anthology', pupils analyse how a variety of different wars have been presented through poetry.

Poetry anthology: first study

Discriminatory behaviour or images, whether on the grounds of race, gender, disability, religion or belief or sexual orientation, or otherwise.

Depiction or discussion of discriminatory behaviour

Historic or outdated representations of people that may portray inequality or injustice.

What is the last word in the poem 'Cozy Apologia'?

Which word does Dove use to describe her and her husband's desks in 'Cozy Apologia'?

Which of the following are connotations of the word "astride" in 'Cozy Apologia'?

Which of the following words means 'the nearness or the closeness of something'?

She tells the story of sitting at her desk writing a poem.

She tells the story of a heroic knight preparing to defeat a common enemy.

She tells the story of the fast-approaching hurricane Floyd.

She tells the story of her childhood/teenage crushes.

She tells the story of two people working remotely, but together.

Starting with the first, put the stories Dove tells in 'Cozy Apologia' in order of when they appear in the poem.

It shows us the wealth the couple have acquired together over the years.

He is her biggest inspiration so she embraces the opportunity to write about him

She can't escape her husband's influence even though she wants to.

It shows her anxiety as she waits for hurricane Floyd to arrive.

What might be the significance of Dove opening 'Cozy Apologia' by describing the objects around the desk she is sitting at?

What does Dove compare her teenage relationships to in 'Cozy Apologia'?

What does Dove compare her and her husband's desks to in 'Cozy Apologia'?

What method does Dove use to compare the desks to birds' nests 'Cozy Apologia'?

What image of her husband does Dove evoke in the first stanza of the poem 'Cozy Apologia'?

How does Dove portray her relationship with her husband in 'Cozy Apologia'?

Content guidance

Depiction or discussion of discriminatory behaviour

Adult supervision recommended

This lesson will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.

Analysing 'Cozy Apologia' by Rita Dove

Lesson outcome

Content guidance

This lesson will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.