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Year 9

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'.

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Year 9

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'.

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Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. Writers use symbols and motifs to present key themes.
  2. Beck uses the symbol of the canary to explore the theme of sacrifice.
  3. 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.

Learning cycle 1 uses 'Macbeth' in order to develop an understanding of symbolism. Consider if there is a more appropriate text that you would like to use with your pupils - one they have already studied, or one they will study in the future.
Teacher tip

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

This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2024), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).

Lesson video

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Starter quiz

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6 Questions

Q1.
In 'Propping Up The Line', the main character experiences a gas attack in the trenches of World War One. What are the long term implications of this experience?
Correct answer: trauma
Correct answer: nightmares
panic attacks
Correct answer: compromised lungs
Correct answer: premature death
Q2.
In 'Propping Up The Line', the central family have a pet. What is it?
a lark
Correct answer: a canary
a dog
a cat
a pony
Q3.
Starting with the first, order these plot points from the end of Beck's short story, 'Propping Up The Line' in the order they appear.
1 - We flash forward and Nell, Alfred's daughter, is 96.
2 - Nell finds her father's pipe in a drawer.
3 - Nell recalls that her father never spoke of his experiences of war.
4 - Nell finds her father's death certificate.
5 - We learn that Alfred died of heart failure.
6 - Nell hears a canary singing.
7 - Nell remembers a private joke she and her father shared.
Q4.
In 'Propping Up The Line', Alfred compares the bits of bodies and uniform he sees caught on the barbed wire of no man's land with an item at home. What is it?
a washing drum
Correct answer: a washing line
a washing press
Q5.
In 'Propping Up The Line', when Alice receives a telegram, she sits at the kitchen table "trembling". Beck also writes the family's pet bird was " ."
Correct Answer: singing
Q6.
In 'Propping Up The Line', when Alfred hears his wife doing the washing, the noise of the water reminds him of Jonesey's sick " " on the mud of the trenches.
Correct Answer: splattering

Exit quiz

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6 Questions

Q1.
In 'Propping Up The Line', what did Alfred sacrifice by fighting in World War One?
Correct answer: his mental well-being
Correct answer: his ability to work
Correct answer: his physical well-being
his family
his marriage
Q2.
In 'Propping Up The Line', Beck uses the symbol of the canary four times. What do we commonly associate canaries with?
freedom
Correct answer: sacrifice
war
Correct answer: joy
Correct answer: positivity
Q3.
In 'Propping Up The Line', what are some of the key themes Beck is most interested in exploring?
the symbolism of a canary
the motif of a washing line
Correct answer: sacrifice
Correct answer: trauma
lungs
Q4.
Starting with the first, put Beck's use of the symbol of the canary in 'Propping Up The Line' in the order they appear in the story.
1 - Alice hears the canary singing as she receives the telegram about Alfred.
2 - Alfred hears the canary as he sits in the kitchen eating his welcome home tea.
3 - Alfred breathes in steam under a towel and is compared to the canary.
4 - Nell hears the canary sing as she remembers her father.
Q5.
When reading a text, we might consider its most important ideas and how these are explored. Key terms can help us do this with precision. Match the key terms to their definitions.
Correct Answer:theme,an important idea in a text

an important idea in a text

Correct Answer:symbol,when writers use something tangible to represent an intangible idea

when writers use something tangible to represent an intangible idea

Correct Answer:motif,something that comes up multiple times in a text

something that comes up multiple times in a text

Correct Answer:tangible,something you can touch eg. a table

something you can touch eg. a table

Correct Answer:intangible,something you can't touch eg. the feeling of guilt

something you can't touch eg. the feeling of guilt

Q6.
In 'Propping Up The Line', Alfred compares the washing flapping on the line to an " ".
Correct Answer: army