Understanding ideas of identity and heritage in Robinson's 'A Portable Paradise'
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can explain how Robinson presents ideas of identity and heritage in 'A Portable Paradise'.
Key learning points
- Robinson moved to Trinidad aged four with his Trinidadian parents and then returned to England after fifteen years.
- Arguably, the title 'A Portable Paradise' can be read as an extended metaphor for the speaker’s Trinidadian heritage.
- Robinson might be suggesting that our 'portable paradise' provides an internal hope when life is difficult.
- Robinson may also be referencing the struggles of migration through the poem and the pressure to integrate.
Keywords
Portable - light and small enough to be easily carried or moved
Heritage - the history, traditions, practices, etc. of a particular country, or society
Integration - the action or process of successfully joining or mixing with a different group of people
Metaphorical - something used symbolically to represent something else
Common misconception
That the idea of "paradise" is the same for everyone.
We all have our own concept of what "paradise" looks like and what it might mean in terms of our memories and connections to the world.
Teacher tip
You could explore the idea of integration further if this is something your students are unfamiliar with.
Equipment
You will need access to a copy of the AQA World and Lives anthology for this lesson.
Content guidance
Depiction or discussion of sensitive content
Supervision
Adult supervision recommended
Licence
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Which key themes does the 'Worlds and Lives' anthology explore through its collection of poems?
Q2.If something is portable this means ...
Q3.When a direct comparison goes on for multiple lines, stanzas or even the whole poem this is known as ...
Q4. is the history, traditions, practices, etc. of a particular country, or society.
Q5.Liminality is ...
Q6.The action or process of successfully joining or mixing with a different group of people is known as ...
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Match the keywords with their definitions.
light and small enough to be easily carried or moved
the history and traditions etc. of a particular country or society
successfully joining or mixing with a different group of people
something used symbolically to represent something else
Q2.Which key themes does 'A Portable Paradise' touch upon?
Q3.Which words from 'A Portable Paradise' may suggest a sense of prejudice?
Q4.Which of the following associations would we make with the idea of heritage?
Q5.Arguably, the title 'A Portable Paradise' can be read as an for the speaker’s Trinidadian heritage
Q6.Which word from 'A Portable Paradise' suggests the speaker doesn’t have a strong connection to the wider community?
To help you plan your 11 English lesson on: Understanding ideas of identity and heritage in Robinson's 'A Portable Paradise', download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 11 English lesson on: Understanding ideas of identity and heritage in Robinson's 'A Portable Paradise', download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs.
The starter quiz will activate and check your pupils' prior knowledge, with versions available both with and without answers in PDF format.
We use learning cycles to break down learning into key concepts or ideas linked to the learning outcome. Each learning cycle features explanations with checks for understanding and practice tasks with feedback. All of this is found in our slide decks, ready for you to download and edit. The practice tasks are also available as printable worksheets and some lessons have additional materials with extra material you might need for teaching the lesson.
The assessment exit quiz will test your pupils' understanding of the key learning points.
Our video is a tool for planning, showing how other teachers might teach the lesson, offering helpful tips, modelled explanations and inspiration for your own delivery in the classroom. Plus, you can set it as homework or revision for pupils and keep their learning on track by sharing an online pupil version of this lesson.
Explore more key stage 4 English lessons from the World and lives poetry continued unit, dive into the full secondary English curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.