Analysing the poem 'Exposure'
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can explore how Owen expresses his feelings about war in the poem ‘Exposure’.
Key learning points
- Owen personifies nature as a more brutal enemy than the opposition.
- Distorted syntax and imagery is used to reflect the disorientating effects of hypothermia and suffering.
- Owen uses the first person collective plurals to show that he is reflecting on the experiences of many soldiers.
- Owen subverts seasonal imagery to express hopelessness and nihilism.
- Owen emphasises nature's power and criticises the power of those in powerful positions who idealise war.
Keywords
Nihilism - a view that all traditional values are unfounded and existence is meaningless
Disoriented - confused and unable to think properly
Syntax - The ordering of words in a sentence
Futile - incapable of producing any useful result; pointless
Common misconception
'Exposure' only depicts the power of nature.
If we look critically, we can identify how Owen criticises and rejects powerful ideas and institutions, like other poets from the anthology.
Teacher tip
The explanation phase in LC1 works with the model of the gradual release of responsibility. If students require more scaffolding, offer another teacher model with another quote or another group annotation task before they do their own.
Equipment
You will need access to a copy of the AQA Power and Conflict Anthology for this lesson.
Content guidance
Depiction or discussion of violence or suffering
Depiction or discussion of mental health issues
Supervision
Adult supervision required
Licence
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.What method is being described here: 'giving human characteristics to non-human things'?
Q2.In 'Exposure' what does Owen identify as the main enemy of the soldiers?
Q3.Why might Owen have written 'Exposure'?
Q4.'We', 'us' and 'our' are all examples of...
Q5.Complete the quotation from 'Exposure': "But happens."
Q6.What does 'futile' mean?
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.What method does Owen use in the line: "Our brains ache in the merciless iced east winds that knive us . . ." taken from 'Exposure'.
Q2.Which quotation taken from 'Exposure' shows us the tediousness of war?
Q3.What is the definition of nihilistic?
Q4.In 'Exposure' what are the soldiers suffering from?
Q5.What method does Owen use in 'Exposure' to show the physical effects of the weather and the war on the soldiers?
Q6.In the poem 'Exposure', Owen the connotations of spring to express his hopelessness.
To help you plan your 10 English lesson on: Analysing the poem 'Exposure', 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 'Exposure', 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' unit, dive into the full secondary English curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.