Symbolism and motif in Ian Beck's short story, ‘Propping Up The Line’
I can explore Ian Beck’s use of symbolism and motif in his short story, 'Propping Up The Line'.
Symbolism and motif in Ian Beck's short story, ‘Propping Up The Line’
I can explore Ian Beck’s use of symbolism and motif in his short story, 'Propping Up The Line'.
These resources will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.
Lesson details
Key learning points
- Writers use symbols and motifs to present key themes.
- Beck uses the symbol of the canary to explore the theme of sacrifice.
- Beck uses the motif of the washing line to explore the theme of trauma.
Keywords
Tangible - a physical thing that can be touched
Symbolism - when writers use something tangible to represent an intangible idea; for example, a crown as a symbol for power
Theme - an important idea in a text; for example the theme of trauma is important to Beck
Motif - something that comes up multiple times in a text; the image of the washing line is a motif in Beck’s story
Sacrifice - unwillingly giving something up
Common misconception
There are no common symbols across literature.
There are many common symbols across literature which writers use knowing that many of their readers will know what they mean. For example, a crown to symbolise power. A rose to symbolise love. Birds to symbolise freedom.
To help you plan your year 9 english lesson on: Symbolism and motif in Ian Beck's short story, ‘Propping Up The Line’, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your year 9 english lesson on: Symbolism and motif in Ian Beck's short story, ‘Propping Up The Line’, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs.
The starter quiz will activate and check your pupils' prior knowledge, with versions available both with and without answers in PDF format.
We use learning cycles to break down learning into key concepts or ideas linked to the learning outcome. Each learning cycle features explanations with checks for understanding and practice tasks with feedback. All of this is found in our slide decks, ready for you to download and edit. The practice tasks are also available as printable worksheets and some lessons have additional materials with extra material you might need for teaching the lesson.
The assessment exit quiz will test your pupils' understanding of the key learning points.
Our video is a tool for planning, showing how other teachers might teach the lesson, offering helpful tips, modelled explanations and inspiration for your own delivery in the classroom. Plus, you can set it as homework or revision for pupils and keep their learning on track by sharing an online pupil version of this lesson.
Explore more key stage 3 english lessons from the Literary perspectives from the First World War unit, dive into the full secondary english curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.
Equipment
You will need a copy of the 2014 edition of Stories of World War One, edited by Tony Bradman to read 'Propping Up the Line' by Ian Beck.
Content guidance
- Depiction or discussion of violence or suffering
- Depiction or discussion of mental health issues
Supervision
Adult supervision required
Licence
Lesson video
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Starter quiz
6 Questions
Exit quiz
6 Questions
an important idea in a text
when writers use something tangible to represent an intangible idea
something that comes up multiple times in a text
something you can touch eg. a table
something you can't touch eg. the feeling of guilt