Analysing the poem 'Mother, any distance' by Simon Armitage
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can analyse how Armitage uses literary methods to portray the complexities of a mother-son relationship.
Key learning points
- Armitage uses an extended metaphor to compare an expansive new house to the growing distance in a relationship.
- Armitage uses symbolism to represent the bond between the mother and son that exists despite the growing detachment.
- Armitage uses metaphors to convey the complex and nuanced maternal relationship in light of the physical separation.
- Armitage conveys how the speaker's future is uncertain without the proximity and support of their mother.
Keywords
Temporal - relating to the passing of time
Explicit - clearly stated or expressed, without ambiguity
Implicit - implied or understood though not directly expressed
Vignette - a brief descriptive scene that focuses on a particular moment
Symbolism - representing abstract ideas, themes, or concepts through concrete objects, actions, or images
Common misconception
The speaker mourns the growing distance between him and his mother.
This is just one interpretation of the text; we could also infer that the speaker has felt stifled by their mother's involvement in their life until now and yearns for their independence.
Teacher tip
You could create a storyboard to represent the order of images in the poem.
Equipment
You will need access to the poem 'Mother, any distance' by Simon Armitage. This can be found in the AQA Love and Relationships Poetry Anthology.
Content guidance
Depiction or discussion of sensitive content
Supervision
Adult supervision recommended
Licence
Lesson video
Loading...
Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.'Mother, any distance' is about...
Q2.Which of these key themes can we identify in 'Mother, any distance'?
Q3.'Mother, any distance' loosely follows the conventions of which type of poem?
Q4.'Mother, any distance' is taken from a collection entitled 'Books of '.
Q5.What does the word 'ephemeral' mean?
Q6.Starting with the first, put these quotations from 'Mother, any distance' in the order they appear.
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.What is a vignette?
Q2.What is symbolism?
Q3.The image of the anchor on line 8 of 'Mother, any distance' could symbolise how...
Q4.In 'Mother, any distance', the speaker uses which image to suggest they feel tethered to their mother?
Q5.How does Armitage use measurements in 'Mother, any distance' to symbolise the generational distance between the mother and the son?'
Q6.How does Armitage imply the speaker's future is uncertain at the end of 'Mother, any distance'?
To help you plan your 10 English lesson on: Analysing the poem 'Mother, any distance' by Simon Armitage, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 10 English lesson on: Analysing the poem 'Mother, any distance' by Simon Armitage, 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' unit, dive into the full secondary English curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.