Analysing ideas of war and inevitability in Hardy’s ‘Drummer Hodge’
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can analyse how Hardy presents ideas of war and inevitability in ‘Drummer Hodge’.
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.
Teacher tip
It may be useful to re-read Hardy's 'Drummer Hodge' before this lesson.
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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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Which of the following is an accurate summary of Hardy's 'Drummer Hodge'?
Q2.Which of the following is the context of Hardy's 'Drummer Hodge'?
Q3.A constellation refers to a __________.
Q4.'Certain to happen and unable to be avoided or prevented' is the definition of which of the following?
Q5.'The development of events outside a person's control, regarded as predetermined by a supernatural power' is the definition of which word beginning with 'f'?
Q6.Potentially, the use of regular rhyme might indicate which of the following?
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Arguably, the imagery of stars in Hardy's 'Drummer Hodge' links to ideas of __________.
Q2.In Hardy's 'Drummer Hodge', which of the following happened to Drummer Hodge's body?
Q3.Typically, which of the following do we associate with plosive consonants?
Q4.'Behaviour that is very cruel or violent and showing no feelings for others' is the definition of which of the following?
Q5.'Regarding, representing, or treating (a person or group) as less than human' is the definition of which word beginning with 'd'?
Q6.By creating the image of Drummer Hodge's body becoming part of the land in 'Drummer Hodge', Hardy is arguably referencing which of the following?
To help you plan your 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 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.
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 from summer 2027) unit, dive into the full secondary English curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.