New

Year 10

Edexcel

Analysing the poem ‘The Class Game’ by Mary Casey

I can explain how Casey uses language, form and structure to express her viewpoint about social class.

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New

Year 10

Edexcel

Analysing the poem ‘The Class Game’ by Mary Casey

I can explain how Casey uses language, form and structure to express her viewpoint about social class.

Download all resources

Share activities with pupils

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Lesson details

Key learning points

The poem is written in a deliberately colloquial manner to reflect the pride in Casey's roots.
Rhetorical questions are used to force the reader to challenge their own prejudices.
Contrasting images are used throughout the poem to contrast the differences between the social classes.
The rhyming couplets used create a teasing tone and Casey does not take herself too seriously.
Humour is used to soften the sense of conflict.

Keywords

Caricatures - exaggerated or distorted representations of people or things, often used for humour
Prejudice - preconceived opinions or attitudes towards a person or group, often based on stereotypes
Compelling - persuasive, convincing
Colloquial - language commonly used in everyday speech, often specific to a particular region or social group
Rhyming couplets - a pair of successive lines of verse, typically rhyming and of the same length

Common misconception

Casey's playful tone makes light of class conflict.

While Casey uses a playful tone which does lighten the mood of the poem, her use of repeated rhetorical questions foregrounds her more serious message about class prejudice.

You could encourage students to write their own poem, exploring the colloquialisms used by people in their local area.

Teacher tip

Equipment

You need a copy of the Edexcel Poetry Anthology for this lesson to read ‘The Class Game’ by Mary Casey. We will be using the ‘Conflict’ cluster.

Content guidance

Depiction or discussion of discriminatory behaviour

Supervision

Adult supervision recommended

Licence

This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2024), licensed on

Open Government Licence version 3.0

except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).

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Starter quiz

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6 Questions

Q1.

What is a rhetorical question?

a question that seeks information or clarification

a question that invites a detailed response, allowing for varied opinions

Correct answer: a question posed used to make a point, not expecting an answer

a question that typically elicits a yes or no, limiting the range of responses

Q2.

What is slang?

words or expressions that are considered socially inappropriate or offensive

Correct answer: informal words or phrases not Standard English but commonly used in speech

standard, grammatically correct language used in professional writing

specialised terminology or jargon specific to a particular field or discipline

Q3.

Match up each of the social classes to the most appropriate definition.

Correct Answer:working class,unskilled or low-wage workers, least access to life opportunities

unskilled or low-wage workers, least access to life opportunities

Correct Answer:lower middle class,moderate income, 'white-collar jobs', some financial insecurity

moderate income, 'white-collar jobs', some financial insecurity

Correct Answer:upper middle class,substantial income and career, access to prestigious education

substantial income and career, access to prestigious education

Correct Answer:upper class,wealthy (usually inherited or business), lavish lifestyle, high status

wealthy (usually inherited or business), lavish lifestyle, high status

Q4.

'The Class Game' was written at the same time which UK Prime Minister assumed power?

Winston Churchill

Correct answer: Margaret Thatcher

Tony Blair

Rishi Sunak

Q5.

What is a sociolect?

variations in language influenced by age or generation

Correct answer: variations in language influenced by social factors like class or education

variations in language influenced by gender

variations in language influenced by where in the world you were born

Q6.

How does the speaker of 'The Class Game' feel about their working class roots?

ashamed

Correct answer: proud

frustrated

confused

Exit quiz

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6 Questions

Q1.

What is a caricature?

conceptual depiction of something, often conveying ideas or emotions

Correct answer: exaggerated or distorted representations of people or things, used for humour

figure of speech that draws a comparison between two unrelated things

simplified or exaggerated belief about a particular group of people

Q2.

Which of these quotations from 'A Class Game' is an example of colloquial language?

"second-hand"

"gullet"

"Wirral"

Correct answer: "corpy"

Q3.

When using a single paragraph outline, what should you include in your concluding sentence?

an introduction to your overall argument

Correct answer: a brief description of the main points of your argument in the pargraph

supporting evidence from the poem

links to the wider context of the poem, if it's relevant to do so

Q4.

Which of the following is a synonym for the word compelling?

Correct answer: persuasive, convincing

detailed, complex

creative, imaginative

well-written, concise

Q5.

Which poetic method is being described here? 'A pair of successive lines of verse, typically rhyming and of the same length.'

iambic pentameter

anaphora

repetition

Correct answer: rhyming couplets

Q6.

Complete this sentence: 'When writing analytical responses, it is important to explore ...'

one main interpretation of the poem in detail

Correct answer: multiple interpretations of the poem from different perspectives

as many quotes as possible

either language or structure (not both)