Analysing the poem 'Cousin Kate' by Christina Rossetti
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can explain how Rossetti uses language, form and structure to express her viewpoint.
Key learning points
- The poem takes the form of a dramatic monologue.
- It also uses many traditional ballad conventions.
- Juxtaposition may have been used to create tension in the poem.
- Rhetorical questions may have been used to convey confusion about the conflict women faced in society.
- Rhyme is used to emphasise and link meanings in the poem.
Keywords
Incredulity - being unable or unwilling to believe something; disbelief
Pastoral - literature idealising rural life and nature, often contrasting with urban experiences
Anaphora - repetition of a word or phrase at the beginning of successive clauses or sentences
Dramatic monologue - a poem where a single character speaks to a silent audience, revealing their thoughts
Ballad - a narrative poem, often set to music, using simple language, repetition, and a regular rhyme scheme
Common misconception
The speaker feels as though her cousin Kate has ruined her life completely.
While the speaker does feel that Kate has stolen the life she deserved/desired, she also feels that she can have the 'last laugh' since she has given birth to the nobleman's son.
Teacher tip
When exploring the use of rhyme in the third learning cycle, encourage students to rewrite the poem using synonyms for each rhyming word so the lines no longer have any rhyming pattern. Then read the poem aloud to hear the difference the rhyme schemes make.
Equipment
You need access to a copy of ‘Cousin Kate’ by Christina Rossetti for this lesson. You can find this in the Edexcel Poetry Anthology (we will be using the ‘Conflict’ cluster).
Content guidance
Depiction or discussion of discriminatory behaviour
Depiction or discussion of mental health issues
Depiction or discussion of sexual content
Supervision
Adult supervision required
Licence
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.The speaker of 'Cousin Kate' is ...
Q2.At the end of 'Cousin Kate', the speaker reveals...
Q3.Which of the following quotes from 'Cousin Kate' suggests that the nobleman has conflicted feelings for the speaker?
Q4.Which of these words could we use to describe Victorian society?
Q5.What is the speaker of 'Cousin Kate' implying when she says that Kate's "love was writ in sand"?
Q6.What does the speaker of 'Cousin Kate' suggest most attracted the nobleman to both women?
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Match each literary method to the correct definition.
placing two or more elements side by side to highlight their contrasts
questions asked for effect or to make a point, not requiring an answer
repetition of a word or phrase at the beginning of successive lines
Q2.What does pastoral mean?
Q3.Which of these are conventions of a dramatic monologue?
Q4.Which of these are conventions of a ballad?
Q5.Which rhyming patterns are used in 'Cousin Kate'?
Q6.Which of these quotations links to the pastoral themes in the poem?
To help you plan your 11 English lesson on: Analysing the poem 'Cousin Kate' by Christina Rossetti, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 11 English lesson on: Analysing the poem 'Cousin Kate' by Christina Rossetti, 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 Conflict poetry continued unit, dive into the full secondary English curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.