Analysing oppression and pessimism in Eliot's 'In a London Drawingroom'
I can explain how Eliot uses language and structure to create a pessimistic tone and oppressive atmosphere in 'In a London Drawingroom'.
Analysing oppression and pessimism in Eliot's 'In a London Drawingroom'
I can explain how Eliot uses language and structure to create a pessimistic tone and oppressive atmosphere in 'In a London Drawingroom'.
These resources will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.
Lesson details
Key learning points
- Eliot arguably creates a pessimistic tone through the bleak and dreary imagery.
- We might interpret the rhythm and enjambment in the poem as enhancing this unrelenting sense of hopelessness.
- Eliot arguably creates an oppressive atmosphere through the punitive imagery.
- The single stanza structure could be interpreted as showing how confined the people are.
- Arguably, Eliot is attributing this pessimism and oppression to the Industrial Revolution.
Keywords
Pessimism - an attitude of hopelessness toward life and toward existence
Punitive - intended to punish someone; severely high or unfair
Oppression - prolonged cruel or unjust treatment
Monotony - lack of variety and interest; tedious repetition and routine
Dreary - depressingly dull and bleak or repetitive
Common misconception
There is one singular tone or emotion within a poem.
Often poems express complex and multiple emotions at one time.
To help you plan your year 10 english lesson on: Analysing oppression and pessimism in Eliot's 'In a London Drawingroom', download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your year 10 english lesson on: Analysing oppression and pessimism in Eliot's 'In a London Drawingroom', 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 4 english lessons from the 'World and Lives' 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
Loading...
