seeing the worst in things or people and believing that the worst will happen

being distrustful of people - believing the worst about their intentions and their integrity

to uncover or reveal the truth about something

Understanding ideas of time, family, and pessimism in Larkin's 'Afternoons'

English

In 'Poetry anthology', pupils compared the language, form and structure of a variety of poems. In 'Poetry anthology continued', pupils work on making more nuanced comparisons between poems.

In 'A World at War: Poetry', pupils explore how poets presents the atrocities of World War One through their poetry. In 'Poetry anthology', pupils analyse how a variety of different wars have been presented through poetry.

In this unit, pupis explore 14 of the 18 poems from the Eduqas poetry anthology. Pupils complete two lessons about each poem: one on understanding and one on analysis.  Pupils study the poems in a thematically linked order so they can complete comparative and thematic lessons during the unit.

Poetry anthology: first study

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

Depiction or discussion of sensitive content

What word does Larkin use to describe summer in the first line of 'Afternoons'?

Many of his poems contain themes of death, relationships and the passage of time

He did not share a positive relationship with his family. 

Which of the following is true about Larkin?

What might Larkin be exposing in 'Afternoons'?

What might 'Afternoons' be a warning about?

Match the vocabulary with its definition.

Philip Larkin (the poet) was born in 1922 and died in 1985. Which of the following did he witness?

What do you think we mean when we use the term the "post-war" era?

being distrustful of people - believing the worst about their intentions 

What are the connotations of the word "expect"?

Content guidance

Depiction or discussion of sensitive content

Adult supervision recommended

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

Understanding ideas of time, family, and pessimism in Larkin's 'Afternoons'

Lesson outcome

Content guidance

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