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Year 11
Eduqas

Analysing ideas of dehumanisation and apathy in Ghose’s ‘Decomposition’

I can analyse how Ghose presents ideas of dehumanisation and apathy in ‘Decomposition’.

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New
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Year 11
Eduqas

Analysing ideas of dehumanisation and apathy in Ghose’s ‘Decomposition’

I can analyse how Ghose presents ideas of dehumanisation and apathy in ‘Decomposition’.

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Share activities with pupils

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Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. The use of iambic pentameter may represent how homelessness is a regular occurrence in society.
  2. The enjambment may represent how society and people continue without stopping to help.
  3. The metaphorical imagery of decomposition could represent the dehumanisation of the beggar.
  4. The final word “solitude” could represent how alone the old man is in society.
  5. The flippant language such as “thrown aside” arguably shows how dehumanised the beggar is.

Keywords

  • Dehumanisation - regarding, representing, or treating (a person or group) as less than human

  • Apathy - behaviour that shows no interest or energy and shows that someone is unwilling to take action

  • Flippant - not showing a serious or respectful attitude

  • Decomposition - the state or process of rotting; decay

Common misconception

The final word of a poem is an unimportant detail.

The final word of the poem offers us the lasting impression of the poem's message.


To help you plan your year 11 english lesson on: Analysing ideas of dehumanisation and apathy in Ghose’s ‘Decomposition’, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...

It might be useful to recap Ghose's 'Decomposition' at the start of the lesson if students have not read it recently.
Teacher tip

Equipment

You will need a copy of the Eduqas 2025 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.
Which of the following is an accurate summary of Ghose's 'Decomposition'?
The speaker is talking about a photograph they took of a crash.
Correct answer: The speaker is talking about a photograph they took of a homeless man.
The speaker is talking about a photograph they took of themselves.
Q2.
Which of the following has the definition 'the quality or state of being alone or remote from society'?
solicitation
solidarity
Correct answer: solitude
Q3.
'The running-over of a sentence or phrase from one poetic line to the next' is the definition of which of the following?
caesura
repetition
Correct answer: enjambment
Q4.
Which of the following is the definition of 'downtrodden'?
full of energy, enthusiasm, and determination
asserting one's will over another in an arrogant way
Correct answer: oppressed or treated badly by people in power
Q5.
'To regard, represent, or treat (a person or group) as less than human' is the definition of which word beginning with 'd'?
Correct Answer: dehumanisation, dehumanise, dehumanised, Dehumanisation
Q6.
'Behaviour that shows no interest or energy and shows that someone is unwilling to take action' is the definition of which word beginning with 'a'?
Correct Answer: apathy, apathetic, Apathy

Exit quiz

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6 Questions

Q1.
In Ghose's 'Decomposition' which of the following is the old man compared to?
"cracks" in a building
Correct answer: "cracks" in the pavement
"cracks" in a statue
Q2.
Which of the following is the final word of Ghose's 'Decomposition'?
Correct answer: solitude
hunger
presumption
Q3.
Which type of rhythm does Ghose use in 'Decomposition'?
Correct answer: regular
irregular
progressive
Q4.
The phrase "thrown aside" in Ghose's 'Decomposition' implies which of the following?
The old man is treated with care and compassion.
Correct answer: The old man is treated with no care or consideration.
The old man is treated with thoughtfulness.
Q5.
'Not showing a serious or respectful attitude' is the definition of which of the following?
sincere
Correct answer: flippant
resolute
Q6.
'The state or process of rotting; decay' is the definition of which word beginning with 'd'?
Correct Answer: decomposition, decompose, Decomposition