Lesson video

Hello and welcome and thank you for joining me for today's English lesson.

My name is Mrs. Butterworth and I will be guiding you through the learning.

Now in this lesson, we will be comparing two poems. We'll be comparing "Catrin" and "Origin Story", and we can be comparing ideas of love and identity.

Now, both of these poems are from "The Eduqas Poetry Anthology" so do make sure you have copies of these poems to hand.

You'll need them before you will begin the lesson, as we will be referring to them throughout.

So when you are ready and you have got what you need, we can get started.

Let's go.

In this lesson, you'll compare ideas of love and identity in Gillian Clarke's "Catrin" and Eve L.

Ewing's "Origin Story".

Before we delve into the lesson, let's look at those all important key words.

You might notice them popping up as we go through the lesson.

These words are conflict, maternal, nostalgia, and symbol.

Now, conflict is a a very key theme.

It's about an active disagreement between people with opposing opinions or principles.

Maternal relates to mother or motherhood.

That's very important when we think about "Catrin".

Nostalgia is a, it's kind of like a feeling, like a sentimental longing or affection for the past, often idealised.

And so it's sort of both sad and happy in feeling when you think about the past.

And symbol is a word, object or image that represents a bigger idea or meaning beyond itself.

So, we'll be looking at symbols and how they are used in both of these poems later on in the lesson.

So the outline of our lesson looks like this.

We're going to begin by comparing perspectives of love and identity in both poems and then we're going to move on to compare methods in both poems. First, let's begin by looking at these two summaries.

We have one on "Catrin" and one on "Origin Story".

Let's read them through together first.

So, "Catrin", Clarke explores the complex and changing relationship between a mother and her daughter, showing both deep love and the struggles that come with growing up and growing apart.

"Origin Story", Ewing compares the relationship between the poet's parents showing both their connection and the imperfections of their love.

It reflects an identity, it reflects on identity and cultural heritage, exploring how love and relationships can leave a lasting mark on who you are.

So I'd like you to discuss, please, what initial similarities can you see between these poems? So considering those two summaries, what initial similarities can you see between the poems? You'll need to pause a video to give yourself time to discuss.

If you are working alone, you can think quietly to yourself or even jot down some ideas.

But pause the video and off you go.

Great, lots of really good ideas there.

So you might have said things like, both present close relationships shaped by love and conflict, highlighting how identity is formed through personal and family connections.

So, well done everyone for your contributions there.

Both poems explore the universal themes of love and relationships.

So we can consider these themes in relation to both of the poems. So we have four images here.

I would like you to consider these images, and then I would like you to discuss, please, what are the similarities and differences between the types of love the poems explore? Okay, so use those images.

Think about what type of love they're representing, how might you see them or find them in the poem.

And then discuss what are the similarities and differences between the different types of love the poems explore.

So you'll need to pause the video to give yourself time to answer that question.

Off you go.

Well done everyone, and thank you for your contributions.

Let's just share some ideas.

So as ever, you may have said something slightly different, you may have said something similar, but now's a really good time to think about your own ideas in relation to these as well, okay.

So, you may have to discussed this image here.

So this could look at the idea of parental relationships as both poems explore these and familial love.

So, "Catrin" specifically explores the intensity of maternal love, whereas in "Origin Story", we see that the relationship between the parents, don't we, that parental love.

Now we have that rope there.

So "Catrin" shows the strength of bond between mother and daughter.

Okay, so that rope is very significant, whereas "Origin Story" reflects on lineage.

So that rope, that line can almost represent that.

So a link through generations that holds identity and family history together.

So that image could link to both poems. Now, this image, so "Origin Story" connects self-identity to family history and cultural heritage shaping her own self-love.

So "Catrin" shows self-identity growing through conflict and separation.

Okay, so you may have something similar there.

And then finally, our heart-shaped chocolate box and flowers.

So "Origin Story" offers a realistic expectation of romantic love, whereas "Catrin" focus on maternal love.

So you might picked up on, may have picked up on that idea of romantic love there and considered those differences in the poems. True or false times.

So, is this statement true or false? Both poems present an idealised and realistic representation of romantic love.

Is that true or is that false? Come up with your answer now please.

Okay, well done to everyone that said false, but you now need to tell me why that statement is false.

So pause the video to give yourself time to come up with your explanation.

Off you go.

Has everyone come up with their why? Okay, I'll share an answer with you and hopefully you have something similar as to why that statement was false.

So why is it false? Because actually "Catrin" and explores the complexities and struggles of maternal love.

So it doesn't really reference romantic love at all.

While "Origin Story" reflects on romantic love between parents and its connection to self-identity.

So although "Origin Story" does link to ideas of romantic love, it isn't idealised.

Okay, so that statement is wrong 'cause they don't both do that.

Now I'd like you to consider the following words from the poems. So we have "Catrin", we have these words, fierce, tight, and tender.

And in "Origin Story", we have fragile, mishandled and memorised.

And I'd like you to discuss, please, what do these words suggest about how the speakers feel about love and the relationships they are describing? Okay, what do these words suggest about how the speakers feel about love and the relationships they are describing? Okay, pause the video to give yourself time to discuss that question.

Off you go.

Okay, great.

Now let's feed back some ideas.

So you may have discussed some ideas like this.

So those words, fierce and tight from "Catrin" suggest that the speaker experiences love as intense, emotionally charged and a power struggle between connection and independence.

So, you've got that fierce and that word tight, okay? They're quite emotionally evocative words, aren't they? And Clarke, but interestingly, she also uses tender.

So it always like juxtaposes those other words, doesn't it? And it reveals that the relationship remains rooted in deep affection and maternal care.

So although it is fierce and tight, there is this link to this tender love or tender relationship too.

So in "Origin Story", we have fragile and mishandled, and this suggests that the speaker in "Origin Story" views love as vulnerable and easily damaged, shaped by imperfection.

And the word memorised pops up in "Origin Story" too.

And this could convey that though the love did not last, it was meaningful and formative, leaving a lasting imprint and identity and memory.

And I think that's a point that could be made about "Catrin" too.

Both of these poems really explore these relationships and the love in them as really meaningful and formative.

Both poems show how love and relationships have a lasting impact on identity and memory and things like that.

So we can really think about that meaningful love in both of these poems. Okay, so A, B or C time.

Which answer be offers the best explanation of Clarke's use of the words fierce and tight in "Catrin"? You need to pick A, B or C now and pause the video to give yourself time to do that.

Okay.

Are we feeling confident? Brilliant.

Okay.

So that's great for everyone that said C, maternal love can be intense and full of emotional conflict.

Absolutely and I think that conflict is there, isn't it, in those words that Clarke uses throughout the poem.

Another interesting similarity about these poems is that they both use a first person perspective.

"Catrin" is told from a mother's point of view, showing her experience of love as both powerful and difficult, whereas "Origin Story" is told by the poet looking at her parents' love linking it to family and cultural identity.

So there's a real sense that these poems come from a personal perspective, a personal place.

And I'd like you to discuss now, how does each speaker view and present love? Are they the same or different? How are their relationships shaped by identity or personal experience? So there's lots to think about there in those questions.

So do pause a video to give yourself time to really discuss those.

If you're working alone, you can think quietly to yourself or even jot down some ideas.

I look forward to seeing what you come up with.

Pause a video and get discussing.

Okay, thank you very much for your very interesting discussions.

There are some very lively things happening there, so that's great.

So we have some Oak pupils here and let's see how they answered.

And you can start thinking about these answers in relation to your own thoughts.

So Jacob has said that "Catrin" feels more personal and intense because the mother is directly involved in a conflicted ongoing love.

"Origin Story" is more reflective with the poem, observing love from a distance.

I think that's a really lovely point there from Jacob, how the distance in the poem is presented.

So "Catrin" feels more intense because the mother is more directly involved, whereas "Origin Story" has got that distance, hasn't it? It's looking at the past, it's more reflective.

And I think that's a really interesting point from Jacob there.

Sam says that Clarke experiences love as a constant struggle for independence, shaped by her own role as a parent.

Ewing views love with nostalgia and as linked to identity.

And then finally, Jun has said that "Catrin" presents love as something that can be both binding and painful.

"Origin Story" sees love as fragile but formative.

The poet poet uses her parents' relationship to explore her cultural and ancestral heritage.

So although there's lots of similarities in those poems, there are some differences in there too.

So it's really important that we think about those as well as those similarities.

Now, I'd like you to consider our oak pupils and just discuss, please, who do you agree with most and why? So pause the video to give yourself time to do that.

Off you go.

Okay, so who's ready for a true or false? Okay, brilliant.

So, true or false? "Origin Story" is told through the perspective of Ewing's parents.

Is that true or is that false? Come up with your answer now please.

Okay, what do we think? Do we have a good.

Great, we have good answers and well done to everyone that said the answer is false.

But now the tricky bit, we now need to explain why that statement is false.

Okay, so pause the video to give yourself time to come up with your explanation.

Off you go.

Okay, so I'm going to share my explanation and hopefully you have something similar.

So the reason that statement is false is because Ewing uses the story of her parents' relationship to explore themes of love, cultural identity and heritage, but does not use the parents' voices directly.

And that's a really important distinction.

Yes, she uses their story, but it isn't told through the parents' perspective and that's why that statement is false.

Okay, so we have reached our first practise task.

We have a statement here.

Both poems use a first person perspective to express personal experiences of love, relationships and identity.

However, one significant difference between the two poems is "Catrin" speaks from a mother's direct and emotional point of view; "Origin Story" reflects on her parents' relationship through the lens of the poet's memory and cultural identity.

And then I would like you, so we've considered those points and that statement, and I would like you to write a response to the question.

How does the difference in first person perspective shape the portrayal of love and identity in both poems? So think about everything we've discussed and looked at so far and really use that to help you write this response.

So gather everything you need to complete this task, and when you are ready, pause the video and get writing.

Off you go.

Great, excellent work.

Well done! So, let's see how Lucas answered here.

So we can use this to start thinking about our own responses and how they compare.

So Lucas has said in "Catrin", the mother's first person perspective allows for a raw and immediate portrayal of love as both powerful and conflicted, shown through the fierce, emotional struggle between connection and independence.

Lovely embedded quotation there from Lucas.

Her direct involvement makes the relationship feel personal and ongoing.

In contrast, "Origin Story" uses a reflective viewpoint to explore the poet's parents' love described as fragile, linking it to memory, cultural identity, and a lasting sense of self.

This distance creates a tone of admiration and nostalgia showing how love can shape identity even after it ends.

It's a really lovely response there from Lucas.

So, I'd just like you to take a moment please, discussing to what extent do you agree and why.

So maybe refer back to your own answers and just think about to what extent do you agree and why.

Pause the video so you can do that now.

So that's it.

That's the first part of the lesson done.

So we are now moving on to the second part of the lesson.

So we've thought about themes and perspective, which are very important when we're comparing poems. And we're now going to dig a little bit deeper by looking at the methods that both these poems use.

Now, one thing that both of these poems use is metaphors.

So both Clarke and Ewing use metaphors in their poems and we can see those images there.

So in "Catrin", there's this a reference to the rope, and this compares love to something binding strong and stretched between two people.

It's a really powerful image, isn't it, that Clarke uses there in that poem, that rope.

That metaphor's really good and likewise in "Origin Story", this metaphor of the comic book where love is compared to a comic book as fragile, personal, and easily damaged.

So these images are really strong.

These metaphors are really important in both of these poems for representing some of their bigger ideas.

So, both metaphors present love as powerful but imperfect.

So that's a really nice point of comparison between how the writers use these methods.

So they both use metaphors and they both use them to look at how love is powerful, but imperfect.

Clarke uses the rope to suggest love is intense and restricting while Ewing's comic book highlights love's fragility and emotional value.

So, it's interesting, isn't it, that we can talk about how both poets use metaphors, how there is a similarity in how they use them, but also how there's that difference there, how there's that slight difference in tone and attitude and subject matter that makes a difference between how they use those metaphors.

Now, we could also talk about these metaphors as symbols.

Okay, so they could have symbolic purpose in the poem.

So, this could mean they represent deeper ideas about love, identity, and relationships in the poem.

So, thinking about what we've just said about the metaphors in the poem, I would like you now to discuss how might the rope and the comic book act as symbols of love and identity in each poem.

So how might these images symbolise or represent some bigger ideas about love and identity in the poem? As ever, if you are working alone, you may wish to think quietly to yourself or even write down some ideas, but you will need to pause a video to give yourself time to discuss that question.

Pause a video and get going.

Thank you so much for your thoughtful responses.

It was really lovely to hear your thoughts on that question.

And actually you gave me lots to think about myself, things I hadn't considered about this poem.

So that's really great, thank you.

So, we also have Andeep and Sophia's answers here.

They very kindly shared with us.

So let's read those through together.

So Andeep has said in "Catrin", the rope could symbolise a love that is intense and restrictive, tied to identity through conflict.

Unlike the comic in "Origin Story", it suggests a relationship still ongoing and emotionally charged.

Lovely, Andeep, thank you.

And Sophia says that in "Origin Story", the comic book could symbolise fragile, imperfect love and inherited identity.

Unlike the rope in "Catrin", it reflects on a past relationship, suggesting memory, not conflict becomes who the speaker becomes.

And I think those are both really lovely points and have picked up on that idea that "Catrin" is kind of more present and thinking about the love and the conflict that is happening.

So it feels more urgent, more present, whereas "Origin Story" almost reflecting back and looking back at the past, which definitely adds to a different tone and a different perspective in both of these poems. So I really like that Sophia and Andeep have drawn those ideas out when thinking about those symbols.

It's really great.

And now I would like you to discuss who do you agree with most and why? So think about your own discussions and tell me who you agree with most and why.

Pause the video to give yourself time to do this.

Okay, so true or false? The rope in "Catrin" and the comic book in "Origin Story" are metaphors that also symbolise bigger ideas about love and identity.

Is that statement true or false? I need your answer now, please.

Okay, very well done to everyone that said that is true, but you now of course need to tell me why that is true.

So pause the video to come up with your explanation now.

Okay, shall we share? Let's share.

Okay, here's mine.

Hopefully, you have something similar.

So it is true, because, both images are metaphors that symbolise larger ideas.

The rope represents a strong, sometimes tense connection while the comic book symbolises love's fragility and its links to memory and identity.

Great, well done.

There is so much to say about these poems and the comparisons that can be made.

So let's keep going.

We're doing really well.

Now interestingly, both poems are separated into two stanzas.

So in "Catrin", it looks like this.

The first stanza focuses on the poet's memory of the day she gave birth.

And the second stanza shifts to a present conflict, likely about the daughter's desire for independence.

In "Origin Story", the first stanza focuses on the story of Ewing's parents and how they met, and the second stanza shifts to explore the nature of love and its impact.

I'd like you to discuss, why do you think both Clarke and Ewing structure their poems in this way? So, what are these structures doing in relation to the ideas and content of the poems? If you're working by yourself, you may wish to think quietly or just jot some ideas down, but you do need to pause the video to give yourself time to do this.

Off you go.

Thank you everyone.

So you may have discussed some ideas like this.

So it allows each poet to show different sides of or stages of love and identity.

It creates a clear contrast between experience and reflection, emphasising change or growth.

So if you think about "Catrin", we've got the past.

The first stanza looks at the past and her memory of giving birth, and then the second stanza brings us into the present and that conflict.

So it shows that contrast between the past and the present and really emphasises that theme of conflict.

And in "Origin Story" that first stanza really links to the story of her parents' love.

And then that second stanza shifts to explore love in a more conceptual abstract way.

So it's kind of using those, both are using those stanzas to show reflection and to emphasise those different themes in the poem.

Another similarity is that both poems are written in free verse with irregular rhyme schemes and varied line lengths.

So, why do you think both poets chose this form and style? I'd like you to pause the video so you can discuss your answers to that question.

Off you go.

Okay, so here is Aisha's answer.

So what she says is both poets use free verse and irregular structure to reflect personal and emotional experiences.

In "Catrin", this mirrors the tension and conflict of maternal love while in "Origin Story", it suits the reflective tone and fragile nature of remembered love.

The lack of fixed form in both poems suggest love and identity are complex and evolving, shaped by memory in "Origin Story" and by lived experience in "Catrin".

This is a really nice comment from Aisha.

And we might also want to think about the fact that these are told from personal points of view, personal experiences, and that free verse really mirrors storytelling or how people might tell their stories or experiences.

And so both of these poems may be using free verse for that too.

Now I'd like you to think about Aisha's answer and discuss to what extent do you agree with her and why? Pause video and off you go.

Thank you everyone.

Keep going.

We're doing some excellent work.

Now I need to just do a little check for understanding.

So which answer best explains the use of free verse and irregular structure in "Catrin" and "Origin Story"? So is the answer A, B, or C? Pause the video to select your answer now.

Okay, so bit of a tricky one, this one perhaps.

So are we ready to see the answer? Okay, great.

Well done everyone that came up with B.

It mirrors the emotional complexity and evolving nature of relationships in both poems. Now remember that is just one interpretation.

There are many ways you can interpret the use of free verse and irregular structure, but in this instance that one is the correct answer.

So well done everyone that answered B.

So we have reached our second practise task.

And for this task, I would like you to write a response to the following question.

How do the poets use language and structure to present ideas about love and identity in "Catrin" and "Origin Story"? You should include one language feature so metaphor, symbolism, or imagery.

So think back to what we have looked at in this lesson.

And again, one structural feature.

So we have looked at this in this lesson, so you could think about free verse or stanza division and a clear point of comparison.

So we have spent a lot of time in this lesson discussing the similarities and differences in these poems. So do draw on all of the work that you have done this lesson because you've had some excellent discussions and come up with some excellent ideas.

So, grab everything you need to ensure that you are ready to get your writing done and pause the video and get going.

Well done everyone! That's really fantastic and well done to a lot of you for drawing on those discussions that you have had previously.

It's really fantastic to see your ideas being used in that way.

So we have part of Laura's response here.

So let's look at it.

So it says in "Catrin", Clarke uses the metaphor of a rope to show the intensity and tension in the mother daughter bond.

The image suggests both connection and restriction, highlighting the struggle for independence.

In "Origin Story", Ewing compares love to a comic book describing it as fragile and mishandled.

This metaphor presents love as delicate and imperfect, but still meaningful, linking to memory and identity.

So this is the feedback Laura has got.

So she got this what what went well, and it says, Laura has identified a language feature used in both poems and supported it with short quotations and analysis.

So you can see there where it's been highlighted in green, we've got that metaphor linked to rope so the quotation and the language feature.

And then the image suggests both connection and restriction highlighting the struggle for independence.

And again, she's done the same in "Origin Story", she's identified a language feature and supported with a quotation.

But Laura's EBI is that it would be even better if Laura added a clear component of comparison.

She could explore the different ways the poets use the metaphors to explore different types of love.

So she said that both poets use metaphors and she's explained them beautifully, but she could make it even better if she made a comparison between the two.

So, Laura does that in response to her feedback.

So here is her point of comparison.

Both poets use metaphors of objects that bind or hold something fragile.

But while Clarke's rope emphasises a physical and emotional struggle, Ewing's comic book reflects a more reflective and fragile view of love.

So it's really good what Laura's done there.

She's used her feedback to add something to that paragraph to improve it even further by adding that direct comparison.

So now, I would like you to self-assess your work please.

So have you included one language feature? Have you included one structural feature? And is there a clear point of comparison? So think about how we looked at Laura's response and self-assess your work in the same way.

Then I would like you to give yourself a what went well and an even better if.

So, pause the video to get that self-assessment task done.

Off you go.

Well done everyone, and thank you so much for your hard work.

There has been a lot to cover today.

We know that both poems explore the complexities of relationships and the impact of different types of love.

Clarke presents love as intense and restrictive, whereas Ewing suggests that love is fragile but enduring.

Both poems write from a first person perspective, which shapes how their experiences are presented.

Both use metaphor and symbolism to represent different aspects of love and perspective.

And finally, they both use structure to emphasise the different sides or stages of love and identity.

And I'm gonna say it again, a very well done and fantastic work all round.

I can't wait to see you all again soon for another lesson.

So do join me again.

Okay, goodbye!.