Identifying and analysing Saint's use of an anti-climax in 'Hera'
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can explain how Saint uses language and imagery to craft an anti-climax that relates to ideas of transience.
Key learning points
- An anti-climax is when something that is much less exciting or dramatic happens than was expected.
- Stereotypically, anti-climaxes might be considered disappointing; however, they can be very subjective.
- Arguably, Saint's 'Hera' has an anti-climatic ending since the gods lose their power and fade away.
- Potentially, Saint may have chosen an anti-climatic ending to comment on ideas of transience and power.
- Arguably, the anti-climatic ending reflects how the gods no longer have the same power as they did.
Keywords
Anti-climax - something that is much less exciting or dramatic than it was expected to be
Subvert - to criticise or undermine the usual way of doing something or common values
Subjective - describes something that's based on a person's opinions, individual experiences, and biased influences
Transience - the state or fact of lasting only for a short time
Symbolise - where an image, object, idea or symbol is used to represent something other than its literal meaning
Common misconception
Anti-climaxes are always disappointing for the reader.
While unexpected, anti-climaxes are subjective and not necessarily always disappointing.
Teacher tip
You may wish to explore more of the Greek mythology around Hera and Zeus or consider reading Natalie Haynes' chapter on Hera 'Divine Might: Goddesses in Greek Myth'.
Equipment
You need a copy of the 2024 Wildfire edition of 'Hera' by Jennifer Saint for this lesson.
Content guidance
Depiction or discussion of sexual violence
Supervision
Adult supervision required
Licence
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.'Where an image, object or idea is used to represent something other than its literal meaning' is the definition of which word beginning with 's'?
Q2.If something is described as 'toppled' then it is which of the following?
Q3.'A group of words or expressions that are related in meaning' is the definition of a field.
Q4.In literature, water might symbolise ideas of which of the following?
Q5.'Describes something that's based on a person's opinions, individual experiences and biased influences' is the definition of which of the following?
Q6.A word that has the same spelling as another but a different meaning is called a ...
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.'Something that is much less exciting or dramatic than it was expected to be' is the definition of which word beginning with 'a'?
Q2.Throughout Jennifer Saint's 'Hera', the character Hera desires which of the following?
Q3.Stereotypically, anti-climaxes are considered ...
Q4.'To criticise or undermine the usual way of doing something or common values' is the definition of which word beginning with 's'?
Q5.'The state or fact of lasting only for a short time; temporary' is the definition of which word beginning with 't'?
Q6.In 'Hera', which of the following does Saint use to create ideas of transience at the end?
To help you plan your 10 English lesson on: Identifying and analysing Saint's use of an anti-climax in 'Hera', download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 10 English lesson on: Identifying and analysing Saint's use of an anti-climax in 'Hera', 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.
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The assessment exit quiz will test your pupils' understanding of the key learning points.
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Explore more key stage 4 English lessons from the Fiction: ending stories unit, dive into the full secondary English curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.