'The Yellow Wallpaper': crafting voice
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can evaluate how a writer constructs different voices and writes using a specific voice.
Key learning points
- In 'The Yellow Wallpaper', Perkins Gilman may have wanted to reveal more about John than the narrator herself.
- 'The Yellow Wallpaper' may be a critique of the patriarchal systems in place in the 1800s.
- The narrator's husband seems to come across as controlling, dismissive, patronising and authoritative.
- We can craft the narrator's husband voice using a range of methods such as imperatives, tag questions and modal verbs.
Keywords
Authoritative - showing that you are confident, in control and expect to be obeyed
Dismissive - treating someone as if they are unworthy of consideration
Patronising - speaking to someone as if they are stupid or unimportant
Common misconception
Pupils may not recognise how terms of endearment can be patronising.
Terms of endearment are traditionally used as a sign of affection but they can be used to subdue, belittle or appease someone (depending on the context).
Teacher tip
You may want to read Perkins Gilman's 'Why I wrote 'The Yellow Wallpaper'' and discuss this with pupils during Learning Cycle 1.
Equipment
You will need a copy of 'The Yellow Wallpaper' by Charlotte Perkins Gilman which is available in the additional materials.
Content guidance
Depiction or discussion of discriminatory behaviour
Depiction or discussion of sensitive content
Depiction or discussion of sexual violence
Supervision
Adult supervision required
Licence
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.What might being dismissive look like?
Q2.What might it look like to be authoritative?
Q3.Which of the below statements is patronising??
Q4.Which of the below is a modal verb?
Q5.Which of the below is a popular term of endearment?
Q6.What is true of the 19th century?
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.When was 'The Yellow Wallpaper' written?
Q2.What might 'The Yellow Wallpaper' be a critique of?
Q3.How does Perkins Gilman present the narrator's husband in 'The Yellow Wallpaper'?
Q4.Which statement below might show dismissiveness?
Q5.Which type of statement can show an authoritative voice?
Q6.Which of the below is a tag question?
To help you plan your 11 English lesson on: 'The Yellow Wallpaper': crafting voice, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 11 English lesson on: 'The Yellow Wallpaper': crafting voice, 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 Fiction: inner musings unit, dive into the full secondary English curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.