Analysing the poem 'Island Man' by Grace Nichols

English

In 'Poetry about Place and Home', pupils create their own poetry to explore their relationship with their home. In 'Single Poet Study: Maya Angelou', pupils analyse the poetry of Angelou, exploring how she uses her work to describe relationships between people and places.

In 'Poetry of Place', pupils explore the language, form and structure of poetry written about place. In 'Poetry of Place and Home', pupils apply these analytical skills to more complex poems and write their own poetry about home.

In this unit, pupils read and respond to poems that explore the links between place and identity. They start by exploring a selection of poems including Grace Nichol's 'Island Man' and Lemn Sissay's 'Anthem of the North'. They then write and perform their own poems about place and home.

Poetry about place and home

Subjects which particular individuals may be sensitive to, eg, adoption, migration, bereavement or death, divorce, poverty, deprivation.

Depiction or discussion of sensitive content

The Caribbean is described with vivid detail.

The words used to describe the Caribbean have positive associations.

The Caribbean is somewhere the man cannot remember very well.

How does Nichols show the man's nostalgia for life in the Caribbean in the poem 'Island Man'?

to show it was something he would never get bored of

Why might Nichols have used the word 'emerald' to describe the island in 'Island Man'?

Nichols loved London from the moment she arrived.

Nichols found it hard to adjust to the weather and noise in London.

What does the poem 'Island Man' suggest about Nichols' feelings towards London after she migrated from the Caribbean?

It is written using the man's own dialect; reflecting his pride.

It is separated into two sections; reflecting two parts of the man's identity.

It is a sonnet; reflecting the love the man has for his home country.

What is interesting about the structure of 'Island Man'?

to teach people how to adjust to life after migration

to show what the experience can be like for those who migrate

Why may have Nichols written the poem 'Island Man'?

language that compares one thing to another

beginning multiple sentences with the same word

What sense is being appealed to in the following sentence: 'The sky was painted a deep blue.'?

Content guidance

Depiction or discussion of sensitive content

Adult supervision recommended

Introduction

What will you need for this lesson?

Are you ready to learn?

Equipment

Content guidance

Supervision

Worksheet