Analysing the poem 'The Emigree'
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can explore how Rumens uses language and structure to explore the impact of conflict on personal identity.
Key learning points
- Sunlight in the poem could represent hope, power of place or an idealised version of the past.
- Free verse could reflect a conflicted identity.
- Regular line length seems to reflect the speaker coming to terms with the two parts of her identity.
- Personification likens the city to a child, perhaps reflecting the speaker wanting to take care of it as it did for her.
- The final line of the poem is defiant, suggesting that cherishing memory defies the oppression of tyranny.
Keywords
Pervade - spread through every part of
Idyllic - extremely happy, peaceful, picturesque
Idealised - regarded as perfect or better than in reality
Epistrophe - the repetition of a word at the end of a sentence or stanza
Common misconception
Pupils may not initially link all of the examples of personification together.
Explain to pupils that finding patterns in the text can be very useful to help create a thoughtful idea about the poem.
Teacher tip
If your class need some extra support, you can provide quotes at the start of learning cycle 2 and get the students to match them to relevant categories.
Equipment
You will need access to a copy of the AQA Power and Conflict Anthology for this lesson.
Content guidance
Depiction or discussion of sensitive content
Depiction or discussion of violence or suffering
Depiction or discussion of violence or suffering
Supervision
Adult supervision recommended
Licence
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Starting with the first, put the events of 'The Emigree' in chronological order.
Q2.What image is repeated throughout 'The Emigree'?
Q3.What does the word 'idyllic' mean?
Q4.The speaker in 'The Emigree suggests her city is in a bad condition as it is full of
Q5.In 'The Emigree' what does Rumens personify?
Q6.Some of the big ideas explored in 'The Emigree' include....
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Match the keywords to their definitions.
spread through every part of.
extremely happy, peaceful, picturesque.
regarded as perfect or better than in reality.
the repetition of a word at the end of a sentence or stanza.
Q2.How does 'The Emigree''s opening line support the speaker’s idealistic and innocent view of the past?
Q3.The use of free verse in 'The Emigree' could reflect a identity.
Q4.What is the effect of Rumen's use of personification in 'The Emigree'?
Q5.Rumens uses epistrophe which is a type of repetition in 'The Emigree'. What word does she repeat using epistrophe?
Q6.Ultimately, at the end of 'The Emigree' the speaker feels __________ about her home city.
To help you plan your 10 English lesson on: Analysing the poem 'The Emigree', 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 'The Emigree', 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 'Belonging' unit, dive into the full secondary English curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.