10 l2 poetry - themes

10 l2 poetry - themes

1. Linking poems by theme Thursday 9 th February Tip: These 15 poems have been chosen so that every one could be linked by a theme to at least one other poem – There are no odd ones out!

2. Examples of some themes All of the themes are do with the overall topic of “power and conflict” but there can be narrowed down further than this by thinking: What is the conflict going on here? Pride and glory Man vs Nature Inner conflict The past or identity Looking at these example subthemes of conflict – can you think of any poems that could be categorised into any of them?

3. Pride or glory These poems capture a sense of pride and glory – but also shame. The conflict here is between what people want and the reality of it all. These poets are often sending a message out about the price of vanity or corruption. Pride or Glory OZYMANDIAS – Was proud and built many monuments to himself, now almost all faded away: What did his pride achieve and does power ever truly last? How is it shown? Use of irony or puns which undermine Ozymandias – it emphasises emptiness and the way his power all seems reduced to dust

4. Pride or glory These poems capture a sense of pride and glory – but also shame. The conflict here is between what people want and the reality of it all. These poets are often sending a message out about the price of vanity or corruption. Pride or Glory My Last Duchess The speaker is proud and arrogant – displays his power but also displays his own insecurities and we wonder if he really is in control? How is it shown? The use of ambiguity to show his power which ironically says more to the audience than he realises

5. Pride or glory These poems capture a sense of pride and glory – but also shame. The conflict here is between what people want and the reality of it all. These poets are often sending a message out about the price of vanity or corruption. Pride or Glory Charge of the Light Brigade The poet repeats ideas of glory and honour to show the ‘power’ of the Light Brigade, however the poem shows the conflict with these hellish images of darkness and war which decimate them. Both a celebration and warning of blind glory, regret for the lives lost needlessly. How is it shown? Use of repetitive elements which give pace. The religious imagery of “valley of death” that contrasts with the soldiers and builds conflict.

6. Pride or glory These poems capture a sense of pride and glory – but also shame. The conflict here is between what people want and the reality of it all. These poets are often sending a message out about the price of vanity or corruption. Pride or Glory London London is the supposed capital of the world and the poem is shown as a dark twisted place of misery, brought on by the abuse of power by those in the ‘palaces’ or ‘churches’. How is it shown? Use of symbolic language to suggest the corruption of the city. The juxtaposition and conflict between the powerful and the poor which the poet is ashamed of.

7. Nature Some poems explore the power of nature – Man vs Nature. Sometimes nature is more powerful, others it is mankind. Lots of personification and language devices to explore. Nature Storm on the Island The poem looks at a small manmade structure being battered by a storm. Deliberately emphasises the conflict between man and nature. The speaker adds “It is a huge nothing we fear” suggesting that is Man who has the power. How is it shown? The harsh imagery used to portray the weather and its power. The contrast with the calm tone of the speaker which undermines this power – the weather simply doesn’t scare him now.

8. Nature Some poems explore the power of nature – Man vs Nature. Sometimes nature is more powerful, others it is mankind. Lots of personification and language devices to explore. Nature The Prelude The poem uses a journey to show the narrator’s development. At first he is one with nature and it is peaceful, but he tries to take control and direct his journey up the river. Nature challenges him (The large, dark mountain) until he backs down. This emphasises mans place in nature but nature remains all powerful Remember to look at: Mountain is portrayed as “huge peak, black and huge” showing its power

9. Nature Some poems explore the power of nature – Man vs Nature. Sometimes nature is more powerful, others it is mankind. Lots of personification and language devices to explore. Nature Exposure Owen describes the weather as an attacking army with regular personification. This shows man at war with nature and losing. How it is shown? Sibilance and assonance used to bring the weather to life in a harsh aggressive form – Personification of weather and its association with military language.

10. Inner conflict In some poems, the central character is often torn between conflicting emptions. Nature Poppies Conflict of her son going off to war and flying the nest, but her sadness and anxiety when he does not return. Sense of forlorn hope which also contrasts with the hopelessness of poems like London or the idealism of Tissue. How is it shown? The homely images contrast with the military images