Analysing the poem ‘Neutral Tones’ by Thomas Hardy

English

In 'AQA Love and Relationships Poetry', pupils compared the language, form and structure of a variety of poems connected by the themes of love and relationships. In 'AQA Love and Relationships Poetry continued', pupils work on making more nuanced comparisons between poems.

In 'Single Poet Study: Maya Angelou', pupils explore how Angelou uses her poetry to present strong relationships to people and place. In 'AQA Love and Relationships Poetry', pupils analyse how a variety of different relationships have been presented across time.

Poetry anthology: first study

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

Depiction or discussion of sensitive content

Which of these techniques means 'attributing human characteristics to non-human entities for effect'?

a list of similar items, placed together for effect

two words that have similar ending sounds

using 'like' or 'as' to compare two things to emphasise their shared qualities

using two contrasting ideas at the beginning and end of a line of poetry

Which of the following quotes from 'Neutral Tones' is an example of an oxymoron?

In 'Neutral Tones', Hardy suggests that the speaker blames __________ for the breakdown of their relationship.

Complete this sentence: Hardy's use of pathetic fallacy, __________ and __________ in stanza 1 of 'Neutral Tones' creates a pessimistic tone.

to slightly modify a quote to fit the structure of your sentence

to add in something your forgot to include earlier

Why might you use square brackets ([]) in your analytical paragraph?

In 'Neutral Tones', the quotation "starving sod" is an example of which language technique?

'Neutral Tones' was written during the {{   }} era.

Which of the following words completes this quote from 'Neutral Tones': "We stood by a pond that {{   }} day"?

"the sun was white, as though chidden of God"

"some words played between us to and fro"

"The smile on your mouth was the deadest thing"

"A grin of bitterness swept thereby / Like an ominous bird a-wing..."

Which **two** of these quotes from 'Neutral Tones' contain a simile?

Hardy mentions two colours in 'Neutral Tones'. What are they?

How many lines does 'Neutral Tones' have?

Content guidance

Depiction or discussion of sensitive content

Adult supervision recommended

This lesson will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.

Analysing the poem ‘Neutral Tones’ by Thomas Hardy

Lesson outcome

Content guidance

This lesson will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.