Understanding the poem ‘Mother, any distance’ by Simon Armitage
I can explain how Armitage presents the distance that emerges within the parental relationship over time.
Understanding the poem ‘Mother, any distance’ by Simon Armitage
I can explain how Armitage presents the distance that emerges within the parental relationship over time.
These resources will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.
Lesson details
Key learning points
- Armitage describes a mother helping her son move into his own home as he reaches adulthood.
- The speaker’s new home seems huge and expansive, emphasising the growing distance between mother and child.
- The speaker builds on the emotional distance between the mother and son as their physical distance increases.
- Both speaker and subject seem apprehensive about the son's upcoming independence.
- The poem comes from ‘Books of Matches’, reflecting on ephemeral moments that make a deep impression.
Keywords
Ephemeral - short-lived, fleeting, lasting for a brief time
Subordinate clause - part of a sentence that adds detail but cannot stand alone
Embedded - enclosed successfully within another structure
Temporal - relating to the passing of time
Sonnet - a traditional form of love poetry, famous for its strict rhythmic rules
Common misconception
This poem is written in the form of a sonnet: it has 14 lines and a regular rhyme scheme.
This poem does not strictly follow the sonnet form but does use many of its conventions. It contains 15, not 14 lines and doesn't use a regular rhyme scheme. It does however end with a rhyming couplet and uses iambic pentameter in places.
To help you plan your year 10 english lesson on: Understanding 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 year 10 english lesson on: Understanding 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.
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The assessment exit quiz will test your pupils' understanding of the key learning points.
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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.
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
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