New
New
Year 10
Edexcel
Understanding how Bridges presents nature in 'Clear and Gentle Stream'
I can explain how Bridges presents nature and humanity's connection to nature.
New
New
Year 10
Edexcel
Understanding how Bridges presents nature in 'Clear and Gentle Stream'
I can explain how Bridges presents nature and humanity's connection to nature.
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Lesson details
Key learning points
- Robert Bridges' poetry reflects his deep Christian faith.
- 'Clear and Gentle Stream' illustrates how Bridges was influenced by nature as well as his spirituality.
- Bridges' use of natural imagery implies that humans belong in nature and that this sense of belonging will be lasting.
- The religious connections in 'Clear and Gentle Stream' could suggest that our souls belong in nature.
Keywords
Belonging - a feeling of being happy or comfortable as part of a particular group
Tranluscent - implies the passage of light but not a clear view of what lies beyond
Content - in a state of peaceful happiness
Spiritual - relating to or affecting the human spirit or soul as opposed to material or physical things
Idleness - the enjoyment of leisure time, rest and tranquillity
Common misconception
That idleness means laziness.
Idleness can also mean enjoying periods of rest and relaxation.
It would be useful for pupils to share their ideas about the connections between religious imagery and the idea of belonging in nature so that they can conceptualise how the poem connects to the theme of belonging.
Teacher tip
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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Starter quiz
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6 Questions
Q1.
'A feeling of being happy or comfortable as part of a particular group' is the definition of ...
Q2.
We might associate something "clear" with ideas of ...
pollution.
corruption.
Q3.
Which of the following are synonyms of "content"?
dissatisfied
dejected
Q4.
A stream is a ...
small body of still water.
very large expanse of water.
Q5.
Having an "old seat" somewhere implies that you ...
are just passing through.
feel uncomfortable.
Q6.
Something that permits the passage of some light through it, is something ...
transparent.
opaque.
Exit quiz
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6 Questions
Q1.
The idea of returning to a place suggests that you feel there.
uncomfortable
unhappy
Q2.
'Relating to or affecting the human spirit or soul as opposed to material or physical things' is the definition of .
Q3.
Which image from Bridges' 'Clear and Gentle Stream' implies a deep, lifelong connection with nature?
"fish"
"grass"
"sun"
Q4.
'The enjoyment of leisure time, rest and tranquillity' is the definition of ...
Q5.
The image of a "deep bell" in Bridges' 'Clear and Gentle Spring' could be a reference to imagery.
Q6.
The idea that we can't properly see the edges of the stream in Bridges' 'Clear and Gentle Stream' could imply ideas of ...
ephemerality.
temporality.