Analysing ideas of time and loss of innocence in Larkin's 'Afternoons'
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can analyse how Larkin presents the themes of a loss of innocence and the passage of time in ‘Afternoons’.
Key learning points
- Larkin presents the young couples as having lost their youthfulness as a result of having children.
- Larkin arguably presents the responsibility of having a child as burdensome in the poem.
- The title could reflect that these couples are in the 'afternoon' of their lives, creating a pitiful tone.
- Larkin uses contrasting tones in the first stanza, perhaps to reflect the expectation vs the reality of having a child.
- Larkin’s ominous and, at times, foreboding tone could represent time creeping up on the young couples.
Keywords
Cynical - being distrustful of people - believing the worst about their intentions and their integrity
Burdensome - undesirably restrictive
Tone - how the writer conveys their attitude towards their subject matter
Foreboding - giving the sense that something bad is going to happen
Autonomy - a person’s freedom and independence
Common misconception
Students often want to be told the 'right' answer in English and think there is a right answer for every question.
There are no 'right' answers in this lesson - this lesson asks students to consider different possibilities and interpretations and to make up their own minds about the poem.
Teacher tip
There is an interesting debate to be had about whether or not Larkin does change tone throughout the poem - is the threatening menace of time always there or does it come and go?
Equipment
You will need access to a copy of the Eduqas poetry anthology for this lesson.
Content guidance
Depiction or discussion of sensitive content
Supervision
Adult supervision recommended
Licence
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Who wrote the poem 'Afternoons'?
Q2.Which words give us the impression of youth in the first stanza of 'Afternoons'?
Q3.Which is the missing season: summer, spring, and winter?
Q4.Which is the final word in the poem 'Afternoons'?
Q5.What is 'tone'?
Q6.Which of the following is not an explanation for the title 'Afternoons'?
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.What is the first word in the poem 'Afternoons'?
Q2.How does Larkin present the domestic duties the mothers have to undertake in the poem 'Afternoons'?
Q3.Starting with the first, put the events of the poem 'Afternoons' in chronological order.
Q4.As well as having a child, what else does Larkin suggest threatens a mother's autonomy in 'Afternoons'?
Q5.What might the fact that the wedding album is "lying" next to the TV in 'Afternoons' represent?
Q6.Match the vocabulary up to its definition.
To help you plan your 10 English lesson on: Analysing ideas of time and loss of innocence in Larkin's 'Afternoons', download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 10 English lesson on: Analysing ideas of time and loss of innocence in Larkin's 'Afternoons', 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.
Our video is a tool for planning, showing how other teachers might teach the lesson, offering helpful tips, modelled explanations and inspiration for your own delivery in the classroom. Plus, you can set it as homework or revision for pupils and keep their learning on track by sharing an online pupil version of this lesson.
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.