Understanding the poem ‘Neutral Tones’ by Thomas Hardy
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can explain how Hardy conveys the speaker's feelings about the breakdown of their relationship.
Key learning points
- Hardy recalls a devastating moment of separation in a romantic relationship.
- The desolate setting reflects the speakers despairing and hopeless emotions.
- The speaker's love for the subject seems to have been unrequited at the end of their relationship.
- At the end of the poem the speaker shifts to the present tense to reflect the enduring impact of the separation.
- The poem could reflect Hardy's unconventional and pessimistic view of romantic love.
Keywords
Desolate - barren, deserted, devoid of life or hope
Hopeless - despairing, lacking optimism or positive expectations
Unrequited - unanswered, not reciprocated or one-sided
Quatrain - a four-line stanza in a poem
Melancholic - something or someone characterised by a deep sadness within
Common misconception
The poem is set by a pond where a couple are walking.
The poem is set in the present day (for the speaker) and the speaker is looking back on the memory of walking around a pond with their ex-partner.
Teacher tip
When discussing the ABBA rhyme scheme with students, encourage them to use two different colours to colour-code the 'A' and 'B' rhymes. This will make it easier for them to see the shape of the rhyming pattern across the poem. It may helpful to use a visualiser to model this for SEND students.
Equipment
You will need access to the poem 'Neutral Tones' by Thomas Hardy. 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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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.What do we mean when we refer to the context of a poem?
Q2.What are rhyming words?
Q3.Which of these is the correct spelling?
Q4.Which two words are adjectives?
Q5.Which of these is an ellipsis?
Q6.Which of these sentences uses tentative language?
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.What rhyme scheme does Hardy use in 'Neutral Tones'?
Q2.The tone of Hardy's poetry has often been characterised as .
Q3.What is a quatrain?
Q4.Starting with the first, put the events of 'Neutral Tones' in chronological order.
Q5.Match up each stanza summary from 'Neutral Tones' to a relevant piece of supporting evidence.
"We stood by the pond that winter day, / And the sun was white"
"Eyes that rove / Over tedious riddles of years ago"
"The smile on your mouth was the deadest thing"
"Since then, keen lessons that loves deceives"
Q6.The last line of each stanza is which slows down the pace and creates a melancholic tone.
To help you plan your 10 English lesson on: Understanding the poem ‘Neutral Tones’ by Thomas Hardy, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 10 English lesson on: Understanding the poem ‘Neutral Tones’ by Thomas Hardy, 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.