Analysing Berry's 'On an Afternoon Train from Purley to Victoria, 1955'
I can explain how Berry uses contrast and structural progression to express ideas of connection and humanity in 'On an Afternoon Train from Purley to Victoria, 1955'.
Analysing Berry's 'On an Afternoon Train from Purley to Victoria, 1955'
I can explain how Berry uses contrast and structural progression to express ideas of connection and humanity in 'On an Afternoon Train from Purley to Victoria, 1955'.
These resources will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.
Lesson details
Key learning points
- Berry may have utilised contrasting pairs to show the inherent differences between people
- The existence of these contrasting pairs within the framework of the poem could represent people coexisting in society.
- The structural progression of the poem shows the subjects forming a connection.
- Berry may have done this to show how open communication can lead to connections
Keywords
Humanity - the quality or state of being human
Contrast - the state of being strikingly different from something else in juxtaposition or close association
Conceptually - in a way that relates to ideas or principles
Inclusion - the act of including someone or something as part of a group
Common misconception
That the use of contrast in a poem is always intended to show friction and tension.
While the use of contrast shows difference, it doesn't necessarily have to show friction; instead, it might represent how we can coexist even though we are different.
Equipment
You will need access to a copy of the AQA World and Lives anthology for this lesson.
Content guidance
- Depiction or discussion of discriminatory behaviour
- Depiction or discussion of sensitive content
Supervision
Adult supervision recommended
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
6 Questions
"loudly"
"darkness"
"snow"