Identifying and analysing Saint's use of an anti-climax in 'Hera'
I can explain how Saint uses language and imagery to craft an anti-climax that relates to ideas of transience.
Identifying and analysing Saint's use of an anti-climax in 'Hera'
I can explain how Saint uses language and imagery to craft an anti-climax that relates to ideas of transience.
These resources will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.
Lesson details
Key learning points
- An anti-climax is when something that is much less exciting or dramatic happens than was expected.
- Stereotypically, anti-climaxes might be considered disappointing; however, they can be very subjective.
- Arguably, Saint's 'Hera' has an anti-climatic ending since the gods lose their power and fade away.
- Potentially, Saint may have chosen an anti-climatic ending to comment on ideas of transience and power.
- Arguably, the anti-climatic ending reflects how the gods no longer have the same power as they did.
Keywords
Anti-climax - something that is much less exciting or dramatic than it was expected to be
Subvert - to criticise or undermine the usual way of doing something or common values
Subjective - describes something that's based on a person's opinions, individual experiences, and biased influences
Transience - the state or fact of lasting only for a short time
Symbolise - where an image, object, idea or symbol is used to represent something other than its literal meaning
Common misconception
Anti-climaxes are always disappointing for the reader.
While unexpected, anti-climaxes are subjective and not necessarily always disappointing.
To help you plan your year 10 english lesson on: Identifying and analysing Saint's use of an anti-climax in 'Hera', download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your year 10 english lesson on: Identifying and analysing Saint's use of an anti-climax in 'Hera', download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs.
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Explore more key stage 4 english lessons from the Fiction: ending stories unit, dive into the full secondary english curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.
Equipment
You need a copy of the 2024 Wildfire edition of 'Hera' by Jennifer Saint for this lesson.
Content guidance
- Depiction or discussion of sexual violence
Supervision
Adult supervision required