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      Analysing how Blakemore presents multiculturalism in 'Peckham Rye Lane'

      Lesson details

      Learning outcome

      I can explain how Blakemore uses language, form and structure to express ideas of multiculturalism.

      Key learning points

      1. The metaphor of a hair brush suggests community together, all in place.
      2. The juxtaposition of inclusive and uncomfortable images and words could suggest multiculturalism isn’t fully accepted.
      3. The free verse nature of the poem could link to the idea that people are free to be who they want to be.
      4. The use of rhymes, half-rhymes and no rhyme could link to ideas of multiculturalism.

      Keywords

      • Metaphorical - something used symbolically to represent something else

      • Half-rhyme - a type of rhyme formed by words with similar but not identical sounds

      • Multicultural - relating to or containing several cultural or ethnic groups within a society

      • Juxtaposition - the fact of two things being seen or placed close together with contrasting effect

      • Inclusion - the action or state of including or of being included within a group or structure

      Common misconception

      That the form of a poem doesn't influence our analysis.

      The chosen form can influence our perception of the theme of a poem and give us a clue into the writer's intentions.

      Teacher tip

      It would be useful to recap Blakemore's 'Peckham Rye Lane' before this lesson.

      Equipment

      You will need access to a copy of the Edexcel Belonging anthology for this lesson.

      Content guidance

      Depiction or discussion of sensitive content

      Supervision

      Adult supervision recommended

      Licence

      This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2025), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0
      except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions
      (Collection 2).

      Lesson video

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      Prior knowledge starter quiz

      6 Questions

      Q1.
      'A figure of speech that involves comparing two things using the verb 'to be'' is the definition of a .

      Correct Answer: metaphor

      Q2.
      Which of the following things does the speaker of Blakemore's 'Peckham Rye Lane' see on their journey through Peckham?

      McDonalds, a fight, Primark
      Correct answer: Primark, KFC, people
      a park, birds, a church

      Q3.
      We might interpret a regular rhyme scheme as suggesting which of the following ideas?

      non-conformity
      Correct answer: conformity
      Correct answer: control
      chaos

      Q4.
      Which of the following pairs of words rhyme?

      Correct answer: "saturation" and "desperation"
      "sun" and "moon"
      "mauve" and "lilac"

      Q5.
      A "bristle" is ...

      Correct answer: a short stiff coarse hair.
      a soft and shiny hair.
      a long and wavy hair.

      Q6.
      'Relating to or containing several cultural or ethnic groups within a society' is the definition of ...

      Correct Answer: multiculturalism, multi-culturalism, multi culturalism

      6 Questions

      Q1.
      The free verse poetic form means which of the following?

      There is a set rhyme and rhythm to the poem.
      Correct answer: There is no set rhyme or rhythm to the poem.
      There are fourteen lines and a regular rhyme.

      Q2.
      In Blakemore's 'Peckham Rye Lane', the people of Peckham are compared to which of the following?

      Correct answer: a "bristle"
      "meat"
      the sea
      an "angel"

      Q3.
      'Real and not imaginary; able to be shown, touched' is the definition of .

      Correct Answer: tangible

      Q4.
      'A type of rhyme formed by words with similar but not identical sounds' is the definition of a ...

      Correct answer: half rhyme.
      quarter rhyme.
      whole rhyme.

      Q5.
      'The fact of two things being seen or placed close together with contrasting effect' is the definition of .

      Correct Answer: juxtaposition

      Q6.
      Arguably, the combination of different rhyming patterns within Blakemore's 'Peckham Rye Lane' could signify .

      Correct Answer: multiculturalism, multi-culturalism, multi culturalism

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