Comparing belonging in 'I wandered lonely as a cloud' and 'I Shall Return'
I can compare how Wordsworth and McKay present ideas of belonging and nature.
Comparing belonging in 'I wandered lonely as a cloud' and 'I Shall Return'
I can compare how Wordsworth and McKay present ideas of belonging and nature.
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Lesson details
Key learning points
- Both Wordsworth and McKay arguably suggest that a sense of belonging comes from an external source.
- While both poets associate nature with belonging, McKay may also suggest a connection to one’s heritage is necessary.
- We might suggest that Wordsworth implies that you just have to imagine the external source to feel happiness.
- However, McKay arguably suggests that you have to physically be in that space to feel belonging.
- We might see both poets as adhering to Romantic conventions.
Keywords
Belonging - a feeling of being happy or comfortable as part of a particular group or in a particular place
Nuanced - has subtle details that make it complex and interesting
Romanticism - 18th and 19th century artistic and literary movement that celebrated nature, emotion and individuality
Sublime - Romantic idea that we should feel awe towards nature - a mixture of both fear and respect
Heritage - the history, traditions, practices, etc. of a particular country, society that continue to be important
Common misconception
You have to be writing in the C18th to use Romantic conventions in your writing.
While Romanticism was a predominant movement in the C18th and C19th, more modern poets can also adhere to Romantic conventions and present a Romantic view of the world.
To help you plan your year 11 english lesson on: Comparing belonging in 'I wandered lonely as a cloud' and 'I Shall Return', download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your year 11 english lesson on: Comparing belonging in 'I wandered lonely as a cloud' and 'I Shall Return', download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs.
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Explore more key stage 4 english lessons from the Poetry anthology (Assessment from summer 2027) unit, dive into the full secondary english curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.
Equipment
You may wish to have a copy of Wordsworth's 'I wandered lonely as a cloud' and McKay's 'I Shall Return' for this lesson.
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