Comparing ideas of temporality in 'England in 1819' and 'A Century Later'
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can explain the similarities and differences between how Dharker and Shelley present ideas of time and temporality.
Key learning points
- Shelley foregrounds the difference between the past and the present in ‘England in 1819’.
- Dharker suggests that the past impacts the present in ‘A century later’.
- Shelley may draw our attention to one moment in time to imply the cyclical nature of oppression can be broken.
- Arguably, Dharker refers to the past to imply that we are caught in a a recurring cycle of violence.
- both poems advocate for the importance of considering the temporal context of a poem in order to understand its meaning.
Keywords
Temporality - represents the way the world is perceived with particular attention to how it relates to time
Relative - considered in relation or in proportion to something else
Cyclical - occurring in cycles; recurrent
Linear time - time that is perceived as moving from the past, through the present, to the future in a straight line
Temporal - relating to time
Common misconception
That philosophical ideas of time have no bearing on literature.
Considering the nature of time impacts the human experience and therefore has a bearing on literature since it explores what it means to be human.
Teacher tip
You might like to spend longer thinking about the nature of time with the students before considering how the poets differ in their approach.
Equipment
You will need access to a copy of the AQA World and Lives anthology for this lesson.
Content guidance
Depiction or discussion of violence or suffering
Supervision
Adult supervision recommended
Licence
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.The purpose of a topic sentence is...
Q2.Rank these topic sentences from least to most effective.
Q3.Considering the differences between one thing and another is being...
Q4.Information that helps the message of a literary text make sense is the...
Q5.Which of the following is an accurate summary of Shelley's 'England in 1819'?
Q6.Which of the following is an accurate summary of Dharker's 'A Century Later'?
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.When was 'England in 1819' written?
Q2.Temporal means relating to...
Q3.'Considered in relation or in proportion to something else' is the definition of...
Q4.Which of the following is a comparative topic sentence?
Q5.In Dharker's 'A Century Later', the poem arguably emphasises the nature of violence.
Q6.Match the information/ideas about time with the poem.
To help you plan your 10 English lesson on: Comparing ideas of temporality in 'England in 1819' and 'A Century Later', download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 10 English lesson on: Comparing ideas of temporality in 'England in 1819' and 'A Century Later', 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.
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The assessment exit quiz will test your pupils' understanding of the key learning points.
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