Analysing ideas of war and inevitability in Hardy’s ‘Drummer Hodge’
I can analyse how Hardy presents ideas of war and inevitability in ‘Drummer Hodge’.
Analysing ideas of war and inevitability in Hardy’s ‘Drummer Hodge’
I can analyse how Hardy presents ideas of war and inevitability in ‘Drummer Hodge’.
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Lesson details
Key learning points
- Potentially, Hardy’s use of “they” could represent how war dehumanises people.
- Arguably, the use of plosive consonants may depict the brutality of war.
- The imagery of stars and regular rhyme may represent the inevitability of death in war.
- Potentially, Hardy’s depiction of Drummer Hodge’s body becoming part of the land may relate to ideas of colonialism.
- We might interpret ‘Drummer Hodge’ as a criticism of how colonialism comes at the cost of young men’s lives.
Keywords
Brutality - behaviour that is very cruel or violent and showing no feelings for others
Dehumanisation - regarding, representing, or treating (a person or group) as less than human
Plosive - a plosive consonant is an abrupt sound made by closing the mouth then releasing a burst of breath
Inevitable - certain to happen and unable to be avoided or prevented
Colonialism - domination of a people or area by a foreign state or nation
Common misconception
The only way to interpret a regular rhyme scheme is to suggest that it brings a sense of calmness to the poem.
As well as a sense of calm, a regular rhyme scheme can also create ideas of control and predictability.
To help you plan your year 10 english lesson on: Analysing ideas of war and inevitability in Hardy’s ‘Drummer Hodge’, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your year 10 english lesson on: Analysing ideas of war and inevitability in Hardy’s ‘Drummer Hodge’, 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 will need a copy of the Eduqas 2025 Anthology for this lesson.
Content guidance
- Depiction or discussion of violence or suffering
Supervision
Adult supervision recommended
Licence
Lesson video
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