Exploring themes of hate and anger in 'The Wall'
I can reflect on poetry with themes of hate and anger, writing a personal response to a poem.
Exploring themes of hate and anger in 'The Wall'
I can reflect on poetry with themes of hate and anger, writing a personal response to a poem.
These resources will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.
Lesson details
Key learning points
- 'The Wall' uses symbolism - the use of objects, images, or actions that represent ideas beyond their literal meaning.
- The wall in the poem can represent a physical isolation as well as an emotional one.
- A poem can have multiple meanings and interpretations; each person’s response can be different and unique to them.
- We can respond to a poem by writing a personal response to it.
Keywords
Symbolism - the use of objects, actions or ideas to represent deeper meanings or concepts
Interpretation - the process of understanding and assigning meaning to a poem
Personal response - reflections that we make about a poem after reading or listening to it
Common misconception
Not all pupils may be familiar with symbolism, especially common symbols.
To support pupils, adults could model the associations that could be made about the objects out loud.
Equipment
You need a copy of the 2021 Otter Barry edition of ‘Stars with Flaming Tails’, written by Valerie Bloom and illustrated by Ken Wilson Max for this lesson.
Licence
Lesson video
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Starter quiz
6 Questions
Exit quiz
6 Questions
the use of objects, actions or ideas to represent deeper meaning
the process of understanding and assigning meaning to a poem
reflections that we make about a poem after reading or listening to it
hope
love
growth, strength
wishes