Starter quiz
- Why types of conflict can we identify in Gillian Clarke's poem 'Catrin'?
- inner conflict ✓
- environmental conflict
- interpersonal conflict ✓
- societal conflict
- racial conflict
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- Which two of the following themes best link to Gillian Clarke's poem 'Catrin'?
- grief
- independence ✓
- loneliness
- worry
- connection ✓
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- How are single paragraph outlines useful when writing an analytical paragraph?
- they show you know how to plan
- they stop you from making silly mistakes
- they ensure you include a topic sentence and concluding sentence that are linked ✓
- they provide space for you to include a link to context in every paragraph
- they enable you to analyse the supporting evidence in detail
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- Which of the following are from the semantic field of childhood?
- nursery rhyme ✓
- small
- noisy
- doll ✓
- energetic
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- Which of the following words would you use to describe a mother-daughter relationship?
- paternal
- maternal ✓
- neonatal
- parental ✓
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- Which of the following words are personal pronouns?
- I ✓
- girl
- we ✓
- mother
- daughter
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Exit quiz
- What does 'duality' mean?
- the same or consistent throughout
- open to multiple interpretations; unclear meaning
- opposing or contrasting elements existing together ✓
- alike or having common characteristics
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- Match each method to the correct definition.
- semantic field⇔a set of words grouped by a common theme ✓
- abstract imagery⇔descriptive language that evokes ideas, emotions or concepts ✓
- symbolism⇔using concrete objects/actions to represent abstract ideas ✓
- Which of the following are manifestations (actions) we associate with conflict?
- red
- furious
- shouting ✓
- wild
- fighting ✓
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- In lines 9-16 of 'Catrin', Clarke uses a series of shapes and symbols to reflect on the speaker's first meeting with her daughter after the birth. We could call this method ...
- a simile.
- abstract imagery. ✓
- words from the semantic field of conflict.
- onomatopoeia.
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- In the second half of 'Catrin', Clarke shifts to the present tense. Arguably, this implies that ...
- the maternal relationship is something she is looking back on.
- the maternal conflict is still ongoing. ✓
- the entire poem is a memory.
- Clarke wanted to vary the pace and rhythm.
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- Complete the missing word in this sentence: 'The best analysis paragraphs begin with a clear, comparative ______ sentence that is linked to the question.'
- 'topic' ✓
Worksheet
Presentation
Video
Lesson Details
Key learning points
- Clarke uses the semantic field of motherhood to explore the duality of parental relationships.
- The semantic field of conflict is used to represent motherhood as a battle.
- The change in tense between stanzas reflects how this conflict is an ongoing one.
- Repetition of the first line implies this is an authentic account of a personal conflict.
- The use of abstract imagery in lines 9-16 can interpreted both physically and emotionally symbolic
Common misconception
Lines 9-16 of the poem use abstract imagery to convey the moment of the birth in the hospital room.
While this is one way of interpreting these lines, others have argued the abstract images could reflect society's unfair expectations of mothers and the nature of the developing maternal relationship.
Keywords
Duality - opposing or contrasting elements existing together, often symbolising balance or conflict
Semantic field - a set of words grouped by a common theme
Abstract imagery - descriptive language that evokes ideas, emotions, or concepts rather than tangible objects or scenes
Symbolise - when a writer uses a concrete object to represent an abstract idea (e.g. hearts symbolise love)
Manifestation - how abstract ideas or emotions appear in the real world (through behaviours, actions etc.)