Analysing the poem 'The Farmer's Bride' by Charlotte Mew
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can write about the dysfunctional relationship in 'The Farmer's Bride'.
Key learning points
- Mew uses a simile to convey the fear the wife feels towards her husband.
- Mew uses a semantic field of natural imagery to reveal how the husband infantilises and others his wife.
- Mew uses a collective pronoun to show how the wife is forced into submission.
- Mew uses natural imagery to convey the wife's growing emotional distance.
- Mew uses exclamation in the resolution to suggest the husband continues to fantasise about his wife.
Keywords
Dysfunctional - not operating properly; broken
To (other) - to treat someone as alien to one's self or one’s group
Infantilise - to treat someone as a child or in a way that denies their maturity
Semantic field - a group of words related in some way- they can be related by meaning or in a more abstract way
Submission - the act of allowing someone or something to have power over you
Common misconception
Analysis should focus on the bride.
Although there is lots to say about the bride - and her treatment in the relationship - the farmer also presents a rich source of analysis through his often contradictory actions throughout the poem (explored in the written task in Learning Cycle 2).
Teacher tip
The poem is rich in techniques - particularly with techniques that support the poem's main ideas. You may wish to undertake some group annotation (particularly in Learning Cycle 1).
Equipment
Students will need access to a copy of 'The Farmer's Bride' by Charlotte Mew which can be found in the AQA 'Love and Relationships' anthology and the additional materials.
Content guidance
Depiction or discussion of sexual violence
Supervision
Adult supervision required
Licence
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Which of the below are reasonable synonyms of the word 'dysfunctional'?
Q2.'The Farmer's Bride' is a 20th century poem. Which year below must it have been written in?
Q3.Who wrote 'The Farmer's Bride'?
Q4.The poem 'The Farmer's Bride' is a dramatic monologue written from the perspective of ...
Q5.Throughout the poem 'The Farmer's Bride', Mew uses similes to compare the bride to several things in nature. Which of the below form part of those similes?
Q6.Starting with the first, put these events from 'The Farmer's Bride' in chronological order.
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.In 'The Farmer's Bride', the farmer treats his bride as a child and in a way that denies her maturity. As such he __________ her.
Q2.In the poem 'The Farmer's Bride', arguably the farmer 'others' his wife. What does this mean?
Q3.In 'The Farmer's Bride', the bride is often described using similes. Complete them below.
mouse"
hare"
leveret"
larch tree"
fay"
Q4.In 'The Farmer's Bride', Mew often compares the bride to elements of nature using similes. Why?
Q5.Throughout the poem 'The Farmer's Bride', Mew uses a semantic field of ...
Q6.Which of these statements about the marriage in 'The Farmer's Bride' are correct?
To help you plan your 11 English lesson on: Analysing the poem 'The Farmer's Bride' by Charlotte Mew, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 11 English lesson on: Analysing the poem 'The Farmer's Bride' by Charlotte Mew, 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 Love and relationships poetry continued unit, dive into the full secondary English curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.