Analysing Hardy's presentation of the consequences of war in 'A Wife in London'
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can analyse how Thomas Hardy presents the devastating consequences of war.
Key learning points
- Hardy uses figurative language in Stanza one to create a foreboding atmosphere and foreshadow the devastating news.
- Hardy uses pathetic fallacy and symbolism across the poem to reflect the wife’s isolation, confusion and loneliness.
- The use of third person perspective creates a detached tone and gives the poem universality.
- The poem’s consistent and therefore predictable rhyme scheme reflects the inevitability of loss in war.
- Hardy uses punctuation to convey the wife’s shock as she struggles to process the devastating news.
Keywords
Foreshadow - when the writer makes subtle hints about what is to come
Morbid - showing an interest in dark or unpleasant subjects, particularly death
Gruesome - causing repulsion or horror
Monumental - great in importance or size
Senseless - extremely foolish - lacking sense
Common misconception
Students are quick to identify a poem's rhyme scheme, but they often fail to explain its effect or why it has been used.
In this poem, Hardy arguably uses the same rhyme scheme throughout to reflect the inevitability of death and grief as a result of war. The rhyme scheme becomes a pattern in the same way that death and devastation becomes a pattern in war.
Teacher tip
A creative task that would allow studentss to practice creative writing and test their comprehension, could be to get students to rewrite their own version of the poem in first person from the perspective of the wife. This could be set as additional home learning or a challenge task.
Equipment
You will need access to a copy of the Eduqas poetry anthology for this lesson.
Content guidance
Depiction or discussion of discriminatory behaviour
Supervision
Adult supervision recommended
Licence
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.What did Thomas Hardy believe about war?
Q2.What does the term 'foreshadow' mean?
Q3.What person are the pronouns 'he', 'she' and 'they' written in?
Q4.When human emotions are given to non-human objects found in nature, this is known as...
Q5.Which example from 'A Wife in London' is a simile?
Q6.The way a poem is organised is the of the poem.
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Which methods come under the term 'figurative language?
Q2.What is the effect of pathetic fallacy in 'A Wife in London' by Hardy?
Q3.Which quotation from 'A Wife in London' suggests a false hope and emphasises the waste of life lost in war?
Q4.What could the regular and predictable rhyme scheme used in 'A Wife in London' show?
Q5.Using third person gives 'A Wife in London' a feeling of ...
Q6.What might the use of punctuation in this line from 'A Wife in London' show: "He - has fallen - in the far South Land …"?
To help you plan your 10 English lesson on: Analysing Hardy's presentation of the consequences of war in 'A Wife in London', download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 10 English lesson on: Analysing Hardy's presentation of the consequences of war in 'A Wife in London', 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.
We use learning cycles to break down learning into key concepts or ideas linked to the learning outcome. Each learning cycle features explanations with checks for understanding and practice tasks with feedback. All of this is found in our slide decks, ready for you to download and edit. The practice tasks are also available as printable worksheets and some lessons have additional materials with extra material you might need for teaching the lesson.
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 Poetry anthology (Assessment until summer 2026) unit, dive into the full secondary English curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.