Analysing the poem 'Poppies'

English

Understanding the poem 'Poppies'

A comparison of ‘Poppies’ by Jane Weir with other Edexcel 'Conflict' poems

Understanding the poem 'Catrin' by Gillian Clarke

Analysing the poem 'Catrin' by Gillian Clarke

Understanding the poem 'Cousin Kate' by Christina Rossetti

Analysing the poem 'Cousin Kate' by Christina Rossetti

Comparing women's conflict in the Edexcel 'Conflict' anthology

Making connections between poems in the Edexcel 'Conflict' cluster

Analysing an extended and developed response on Edexcel 'Conflict' poetry

Planning an extended and developed response on Edexcel 'Conflict' poetry

Writing an extended and developed response on Edexcel 'Conflict' poetry

In 'Edexcel Belonging Poetry continued', pupils used a range of reading skills to aid the supported decoding of challenging poems. In 'Unseen Poetry', pupils use these reading skills to decode texts with independence.

In 'Edexcel Belonging Poetry', pupils compared the language, form and structure of a variety of poems connected by the themes of culture and belonging. In 'Edexcel Belonging Poetry continued', pupils work on making more nuanced comparisons focusing on the final three poems: *Poppies*, *Catrin* and *Cousin Kate*..

In this unit, pupis read and analyse three poems from the 'Conflict' 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,

Poetry anthology: continued study

Subjects which particular individuals may be sensitive to, eg, adoption, migration, bereavement or death, divorce, poverty, deprivation.

Depiction or discussion of sensitive content

Depiction of war, threats of war, death or the aftermath of war.

Depiction or discussion of violence or suffering

how she represses her grief when saying goodbye to her son

how she found it easy to say goodbye to her son

In 'Poppies', Weir describes how the the mother "steeled" her face. What could this reflect?

the mother releasing her son's childhood pet

The act of "releasing" the bird in 'Poppies' could represent...

the conflict between the mother and her son

how the mother tries to contain her grief

In 'Poppies', the two sestets either side of long stanzas could reflect…

"The word “stitch” could further reflect how the mother tries to keep her grief neat and tidy." This response to the poem 'Poppies' contains...

choose the first analysis that comes to your head

consider alternative interpretations of something in the poem

What is one way to ensure a nuanced answer when writing essays about poems?

to encourage the reader to wear a poppy every year

to encourage the reader to reflect on the grief that lies within the symbol

to criticise the sheer loss of life in war

to emphasise the many mothers that experience the same grief as the speaker

Why might Weir have chosen the title "Poppies"?

Who is 'Poppies' written from the perspective of?

in the poem 'Poppies', Weir describes how the mother "smoothed" her son's shirt "collar". How does the mother seem?

Throughout the poem 'Poppies', Weir uses frequent...

Which symbol in the poem 'Poppies' best links to the idea that the mother may be at peace with her son's death?

Look at these words: "steeled", "blockade", "reinforcements". All of these words fit the semantic field of...

Weir compels the reader to acknowledge the mother's quiet trauma.

Weir places significance on the soldier's pain.

Weir shows the patriotism of mothers of boys at war.

Through the dramatic monologue form used in 'Poppies'...

Content guidance

Depiction or discussion of sensitive content

Depiction or discussion of violence or suffering

Adult supervision recommended

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