Understanding ideas of identity and heritage in Robinson's 'A Portable Paradise'
I can explain how Robinson presents ideas of identity and heritage in 'A Portable Paradise'.
Understanding ideas of identity and heritage in Robinson's 'A Portable Paradise'
I can explain how Robinson presents ideas of identity and heritage in 'A Portable Paradise'.
These resources will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.
Lesson details
Key learning points
- Robinson moved to Trinidad aged four with his Trinidadian parents and then returned to England after fifteen years.
- Arguably, the title 'A Portable Paradise' can be read as an extended metaphor for the speaker’s Trinidadian heritage.
- Robinson might be suggesting that our 'portable paradise' provides an internal hope when life is difficult.
- Robinson may also be referencing the struggles of migration through the poem and the pressure to integrate.
Keywords
Portable - light and small enough to be easily carried or moved
Heritage - the history, traditions, practices, etc. of a particular country, or society
Integration - the action or process of successfully joining or mixing with a different group of people
Metaphorical - something used symbolically to represent something else
Common misconception
That the idea of "paradise" is the same for everyone.
We all have our own concept of what "paradise" looks like and what it might mean in terms of our memories and connections to the world.
To help you plan your year 11 english lesson on: Understanding ideas of identity and heritage in Robinson's 'A Portable Paradise', download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your year 11 english lesson on: Understanding ideas of identity and heritage in Robinson's 'A Portable Paradise', 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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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 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
Licence
Lesson video
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Starter quiz
6 Questions
Exit quiz
6 Questions
light and small enough to be easily carried or moved
the history and traditions etc. of a particular country or society
successfully joining or mixing with a different group of people
something used symbolically to represent something else