Exploring theme, message and intent across the ‘Power and Conflict’ anthology | English

Starter quiz

Starting with the first, put the 'Power and Conflict' poems in order of when they were published.

1

⇔

'Ozymandias'

2

⇔

'Exposure'

3

⇔

'Bayonet Charge'

4

⇔

'Kamikaze'
Match the poem to the most appropriate theme shown.

'Ozymandias'

⇔

power of nature ✓

'Poppies'

⇔

grief ✓

'Remains'

⇔

trauma ✓

'Checking Out Me History'

⇔

identity ✓
Which theme does not apply to 'Extract from the Prelude'?

grief ✓

power of nature

pride
In 'My Last Duchess', Browning uses dramatic monologue to expose the Duke's flaws, perhaps to...

praise the patriarchal systems in the Victorian era.

criticise the patriarchal systems in the Victorian era. ✓

celebrate the institutional power of the elite classes in the Victorian era.
Which poems from the 'Power and Conflict' anthology show the ephemeral and/or limited power of mankind?

'Poppies', 'Checking Out Me History' and 'Bayonet Charge'

'Exposure', 'Kamikaze' and 'London'

'Ozymandias', 'My Last Duchess' and 'Extract from the Prelude' ✓
Which poem from the 'Power and Conflict' anthology is the odd one out in terms of message and intent?

'Exposure'

'Bayonet Charge'

'Checking Out Me History' ✓

Match the key term to the correct definition.

Message

⇔

an important idea in a text that the writer wants to tell ✓

Intent

⇔

the reason someone has for writing a text ✓

Theme

⇔

the main subject/ideas in a piece of writing ✓
Which theme links ‘Ozymandias’, ‘Extract from the Prelude’ and ‘Kamikaze’?

oppression

power of nature ✓

reality of conflict
When exploring the theme of ‘oppression’, which poem could be considered the odd one out?

'London'

'My Last Duchess'

'Poppies' ✓
For a poem that shows nature’s omnipotence and human inferiority, the poet’s intention might be to…

criticise authority figures.

mock and warn against human pride. ✓

encourage rebellion.
Which theme links ‘Exposure’, ‘Bayonet Charge’ and ‘Charge of the Light Brigade’?

grief

power of nature

horrors of war ✓

identity
Poems that have the message that 'each individual can reclaim power over their identity after hardship', may have been written to...

criticise propaganda.

mock human and warn against pride.

encourage self-discovery. ✓

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There are several overlapping themes in the ‘Power and Conflict’ anthology.
A message is an important idea in a text that the writer wants to tell people about.
A poet’s intent is the reason they have for writing a text.
Using evaluative verbs can help you make meaningful comments about a writer’s intent.

Students may assume that writing about how the poet wants the reader to feel is enough when writing about intent.

To add sophistication and criticality to writing, evaluative verbs can be very effective when discussing the writer's intent.

Theme - the main subject/ideas in a piece of writing
Message - an important idea in a text that the writer wants to tell people about
Intent - the reason someone has for writing a text
Evaluative verb - a verb that demonstrates an opinion on something