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Year 11
Eduqas

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

I can understand how Ghose presents ideas of dehumanisation and apathy in relation to art in ‘Decomposition’.

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New
New
Year 11
Eduqas

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

I can understand how Ghose presents ideas of dehumanisation and apathy in relation to art in ‘Decomposition’.

Download all resources
Share activities with pupils

These resources will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.

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Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. The speaker describes a picture of an old beggar in the streets and they initially think of it as art.
  2. At the end of the poem, the speaker reflects on their presumption to create art out of suffering.
  3. Arguably, the poem represents the dehumanisation of homeless people.
  4. Furthermore, the poem represents the apathy that society feels towards homeless people.
  5. Potentially, Ghose could be suggesting that creating art out of human suffering contributes to their dehumanisation.

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

  • Decomposition - the process of decaying or rotting; a breaking down or coming apart

  • Glibly - showing thoughtlessness

  • Presumption - behaviour perceived as arrogant, disrespectful, and going beyond what is thought of as appropriate

Common misconception

Art is always meant to be beautiful.

Art can be a means of sparking discussion, representing political views, or addressing problems in society.


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

After reading the poem, you could show the students pictures of homelessness to see what connections they can make between the poem and the photographs.
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.
The title of a poem is __________ part of understanding the poem.
an unimportant
Correct answer: an important
an inconsequential
Q2.
To be 'indifferent' means which of the following?
showing great care and concern
showing some care or concern
Correct answer: showing no care or concern
Q3.
If we say someone is made of stone, which of the following are we most likely implying?
Correct answer: They are cold and unfeeling.
They are warm and inviting.
They are creative and artistic.
Q4.
Which of the following has the definition 'the state or situation of being alone'?
companionship
Correct answer: solitude
community
Q5.
If we say that someone is being 'presumptuous', then which of the following do we mean?
they are being respectful
they are being considerate
Correct answer: they are being disrespectful
Q6.
'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, dehumanised, dehumanise, Dehumanisation

Exit quiz

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6 Questions

Q1.
Which of the following is an accurate summary of Ghose's 'Decomposition'?
The speaker is recounting their experience of homelessness.
Correct answer: The speaker is talking about a photograph they took of a homeless man.
The speaker is talking about someone else taking their photograph.
Q2.
In Ghose's 'Decomposition', how did the speaker initially feel about the photograph they took of the old man?
They felt ashamed.
Correct answer: They felt proud.
They felt sad.
Q3.
The speaker of Ghose's 'Decomposition' initially felt proud of their photograph, but how did they then feel after reflection?
Correct answer: They felt ashamed.
They felt optimistic.
They felt proud.
Q4.
Which of the following is the definition of 'glibly'?
showing thoughtfulness
showing careful consideration
Correct answer: showing thoughtlessness
Q5.
'The process of decaying or rotting; a breaking down or coming apart' is the definition of which word beginning with 'd'?
Correct Answer: decomposition, decompose, Decomposition
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