Analysing how Sheers presents the brutality and legacy of war in 'Mametz Wood'
I can analyse how Sheers presents the legacy of war in the poem.
Analysing how Sheers presents the brutality and legacy of war in 'Mametz Wood'
I can analyse how Sheers presents the legacy of war in the poem.
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Lesson details
Key learning points
- Sheers uses a semantic field of fragility to demonstrate how delicate the soldiers were versus the brutality of war.
- The poet compares the soldiers’ bodies to beautiful, but very fragile objects.
- Sheers uses imagery to illustrate what a senseless waste of life war is; he illustrates the devastating legacy of war.
- The poet uses the poem to show us how war affects not only people, but nature too.
- Arguably, the poem itself is a memorial to commemorate the Welsh soldiers of the 38th division.
Keywords
Legacy - the long-lasting impact of a set of events/ what is left behind
Brutality - extremely violent and destructive
Imagery - words that create a vivid picture in the reader’s mind
Testimony - when something is evidence or proof of something
To commemorate - to remember something or someone and pay respect to it/them
Common misconception
Students fail to recognise that the poem itself is a kind of memorial for the 38th division in the Battle of Mametz Wood.
The poem immortalises the Welsh soldiers in the 38th division, who lay undiscovered for decades, their stories untold. In this sense, the poem itself has become these soldiers' legacy.
To help you plan your year 10 english lesson on: Analysing how Sheers presents the brutality and legacy of war in 'Mametz Wood', download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your year 10 english lesson on: Analysing how Sheers presents the brutality and legacy of war in 'Mametz Wood', 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 unit, dive into the full secondary english curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.
Equipment
You will need access to a copy of the Eduqas poetry anthology for this lesson.
Content guidance
- Depiction or discussion of violence or suffering
Supervision
Adult supervision recommended
Licence
Lesson video
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Starter quiz
6 Questions
Exit quiz
6 Questions
the long-lasting impact of a set of events/ what is left behind
extremely violent and destructive
words that create a vivid picture in the reader’s mind
when something is evidence or proof of something
to remember something or someone and pay respect to it/them