Analysing the ideas of connections in Antrobus' 'With Birds You're Never Lonely'
I can explain how Antrobus uses language, form and structure to express ideas of connections and the contrast between nature and the urban world in ‘With Birds You’re Never Lonely’.
Analysing the ideas of connections in Antrobus' 'With Birds You're Never Lonely'
I can explain how Antrobus uses language, form and structure to express ideas of connections and the contrast between nature and the urban world in ‘With Birds You’re Never Lonely’.
These resources will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.
Lesson details
Key learning points
- Antrobus’ use of colour imagery suggests nature is full of life and energy.
- Antrobus’ use of personification implies nature is able to form connections while man-made objects are not.
- The use of fragmented couplets could suggest that the speaker has yet to form a connection but that they desire one.
- The cyclical structure could show how the speaker’s journey has transformed the way they think about nature and mankind.
- The final line could be a critique of how humans perceive their relationship with nature.
Keywords
Couplet - a pair of successive lines of verse, typically rhyming and of the same length
Conceptualise - form a concept or idea of (something)
Fragmentation - the action or process of breaking something into small parts
Cyclical - occurring in cycles; recurrent
Pensive - deeply or seriously thoughtful, often with a tinge of sadness
Common misconception
That "black" and "white" imagery always relates to ideas of absence and emptiness.
While "black" and "white" imagery can signal a sense of absence and emptiness, we could also interpret them as showing strength and purity.
To help you plan your year 11 english lesson on: Analysing the ideas of connections in Antrobus' 'With Birds You're Never Lonely', download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your year 11 english lesson on: Analysing the ideas of connections in Antrobus' 'With Birds You're Never Lonely', 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.
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Explore more key stage 4 english lessons from the World and lives poetry continued unit, dive into the full secondary english curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.
Equipment
You will need access to a copy of the AQA World and Lives anthology for this lesson.
Content guidance
- Depiction or discussion of sensitive content
Supervision
Adult supervision recommended