Half Term Homework

Write a discussion about which of the conflict poems we have studied you consider to be the most effective.

It should make reference to theme, language, structure and context.

It should also make comparisons to other poems to which the poem is thematically similar and different.

You should post your response here if you have a Google account or email them to tpope@bgis.co.uk and I will post them for you.

'The Charge of the Light Brigade' - Alfred Tennyson

Here is a good quality video on 'The Charge of the Light Brigade' designed for GCSE students.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QuTrx8lDYI0

This is a good short analysis of the poem

https://interestingliterature.com/2016/01/26/a-short-analysis-of-the-charge-of-the-light-brigade/

And a good article about the poem from The Guardian newspaper

https://www.theguardian.com/books/booksblog/2014/jan/20/poem-of-the-week-charge-light-brigade-Tennyson

'My Last Duchess' - Robert Browning

Here is a good model essay on 'My Last Duchess' - remember that the form is a dramatic monologue and that this is important to a full understanding of the poem.

http://englishtutorhome2.blogspot.co.uk/2013/06/analysis-my-last-duchess-ferrara-robert.html

Here is a little context information on Browning from the nice people at AQA, who set your exam!

http://anthology.aqa.org.uk/browning

Learn and know some facts and details about his life.

Jekyll and Hyde Context

This is a fascinating article with all sorts of interesting embedded source material in it.  It is highly relevant, written in an accessible way and particularly detailed.  Read it.  Make notes.  Bring notes to school.  Stick in book.  Win.

https://www.bl.uk/romantics-and-victorians/articles/duality-in-robert-louis-stevensons-strange-case-of-dr-jekyll-and-mr-hyde

'London' - William Blake

http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/gcsebitesize/english_literature/poetryblake_lon/

The BBC Bitesize page has an impressive analysis of 'London' by William Blake.  Particularly, make sure you see the video which juxtaposes images of London in the Georgian era with a reading of the poem.  Your understanding of the poem relies on a sound understanding of the context it is set in.

Read about the context of the poem and under no circumstances call it a Victorian poem.  Because it wasn't.  It was written in 1794 and Queen Victoria did not reign until 1837.

George III was followed by George IV Who was followed by William IV and then Queen Victoria.  So to call Blake's work Victorian is three monarchs out!

https://www.bl.uk/romantics-and-victorians/articles/looking-at-the-manuscript-of-william-blakes-London

For something a little more advanced go to the above link.  Here you can see the original, handwritten version of the poem and read about how Blake made alterations to the poem as he was composing it.  It is a fascinating insight into Blake's writing process and worthy of the attention of anyone aiming for a top grade!

'Tissue' - Imtiaz Dharker

http://www.imtiazdharker.com/

Visit the poet's website.  Read the homepage.  Discover what issues are of particular interest to the poet.  Consider how these issues are evident in 'Tissue'.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6izJ0bl_nuk

You can't just study a poem once and know it.  You have to keep going over and over it to have a really good understanding of it.  Spend 20 minutes watching the above link to revise the themes and language features in the poem.