Starter quiz
- What is a theme in literature?
- a central topic, subject, or message within a text ✓
- the writer's intentions in creating the text
- the combination of methods a writer uses in a text
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- Which of these is not a theme found in the Power and Conflict anthology?
- identity
- abuse of power
- love ✓
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- Romantic poets often wrote about...
- the effects of war
- the power of nature ✓
- the power of memories
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- Which poems best explore the theme of power of man?
- 'Ozymandias' ✓
- 'London' ✓
- 'Exposure'
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- Which of these poets were part of the Romantic movement?
- Percy Shelley ✓
- Ted Hughes
- William Wordsworth ✓
- William Blake ✓
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- What does 'omnipotent' mean?
- having very great or unlimited power ✓
- pointlessness or uselessness
- short-lasting
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Exit quiz
- Instead of choosing poems based on the time they were written or their style, it's better to compare poems based on their presentation of key...
- 'themes' ✓
- Which poems from the 'Power and Conflict' anthology best explore the theme of memory?
- 'Bayonet Charge'
- 'War Photographer' ✓
- 'Remains' ✓
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- These poems have been grouped together: 'Ozymandias', 'London' and 'My Last Duchess'. What key theme do they have in common?
- power of nature
- abuse of power ✓
- reality of conflict
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- These poems have been grouped together: 'Ozymandias', 'Extract from The Prelude' and 'My Last Duchess'. What key theme do they have in common?
- fear
- guilt
- pride ✓
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- Which poem does not present the omnipotence of nature?
- 'Extract from The Prelude'
- 'Bayonet Charge' ✓
- 'Storm on the Island'
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- Looking at the theme of trauma, which poem might you compare 'War Photographer' with?
- 'Remains' ✓
- 'Storm on the Island'
- 'My Last Duchess'
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Worksheet
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Lesson Details
Key learning points
- When comparing poems, pay attention to the specific theme within the question.
- Be open to comparing poems across different eras, movements, styles and content areas.
- Memory is a key theme across many of the ‘Power and Conflict’ poems.
- Poets from the anthology often explore the damaging effect of pride, the power of nature and harrowing inner conflicts.
Common misconception
Students may think that all 'Romantic' poems should be compared, all 'war' poems must be compared, all 'nature' poems must be compared.
The nuances of the question are the most important factor when deciding which poems to compare.
Keywords
Theme - the main subject that is being discussed in a piece of writing
Omnipotence - having very great or unlimited power
Ephemeral - short-lasting
Futility - pointlessness or uselessness
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