Understanding the poem 'Poppies'

English

In 'Edexcel Belonging Poetry continued', pupils used a range of reading skills to aid the supported decoding of challenging poems. In 'Unseen Poetry', pupils use these reading skills to decode texts with independence. 

In 'Edexcel Belonging Poetry', pupils compared the language, form and structure of a variety of poems connected by the themes of culture and belonging. In 'Edexcel Belonging Poetry continued', pupils work on making more nuanced comparisons focusing on the final three poems: *Poppies*, *Catrin* and *Cousin Kate*..

Poetry anthology: continued study

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

Depiction or discussion of sensitive content

Depiction of war, threats of war, death or the aftermath of war.

Depiction or discussion of violence or suffering

Whose perspective is 'Poppies' written from?

Weir recognised the mother's perspective of war was lesser-recognised.

Weir wanted to show the patriotic feeling amongst mothers during WW1.

Why might Weir have chosen to write 'Poppies' from the perspective of a soldier's mother?

"without a winter coat or reinforcements of scarf, gloves"

Which quote is suggestive of the son’s death and mother and son’s peace in 'Poppies'?

"I rounded up as many white cat hairs as I could"

"the world overflowing like a treasure chest"

Which line from the poem 'Poppies' shows the mother's nostalgia?

the mother's contribution to the war effort

the mother's love for her domestic routine

the mother's longing to stay close to her son

What could the textile imagery in 'Poppies' symbolise?

From whose perspective is the poem 'Exposure' written from?

Content guidance

Depiction or discussion of sensitive content

Depiction or discussion of violence or suffering

Adult supervision recommended

Starter Quiz