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Year 10
AQA

Analysing the poem ‘Walking Away’ by Cecil Day-Lewis

I can explore how Day-Lewis uses language and structure to show the complexities of a father-son relationship.

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Year 10
AQA

Analysing the poem ‘Walking Away’ by Cecil Day-Lewis

I can explore how Day-Lewis uses language and structure to show the complexities of a father-son relationship.

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Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. Day-Lewis uses a simile to show the overwhelming pain he feels initially at the separation from his son.
  2. Day-Lewis uses natural imagery to convey how he feels his son is not yet ready to be independent.
  3. Day-Lewis uses a metaphor to suggest how although this is a natural process, it can be painful and deeply impactful.
  4. Day-Lewis uses the resolution to reveal how since the moment of parting, he has learnt the importance of it.
  5. Day-Lewis' use of a regular rhyme scheme could mirror the stable nature of parental love.

Keywords

  • Rhyme scheme - pattern of rhymes (similar sounds) at the end of each line in a poem

  • Resolution - the point in a narrative where conflicts stop developing and are resolved

  • Sacrifice - giving up something valuable or important for the sake of others or a greater cause

  • Nurturing - providing care, support, and encouragement to promote growth and development

  • Unconditional - absolute, not subject to any limitations or requirements

Common misconception

Analysis paragraphs should lead by 'feature-spotting' a technique and then linking it to key ideas.

The most effective analysis paragraphs lead with key ideas supported by evidence from the text, analysis of writer's methods, a justification of ideas and a link to the writer's intentions.

Map out the rhyme scheme of the poem by encouraging students to use lined paper and map out the four stanzas (using 20 lines), writing the rhyming words onto the corresponding lines. This will give them a visual representation of the rhyming pattern in the poem.
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Teacher tip
equipment-required

Equipment

You will need access to the poem 'Walking Away' by Cecil Day-Lewis. This can be found in the AQA Love and Relationships Poetry Anthology.

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Content guidance

  • Depiction or discussion of sensitive content
supervision-level

Supervision

Adult supervision recommended

copyright

Licence

This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2025), 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

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6 Questions

Q1.
What is the poem 'Walking Away' by Cecil Day-Lewis about?
a father watching his son at a football match
a mother watching her son go to school
Correct answer: a father describing his son growing more independent
Q2.
A is a comparison between two things, often using the words 'like' or 'as'.
Correct Answer: simile
Q3.
What do we mean by structure when looking at poetry?
the figurative language a poet uses
Correct answer: the way the poet organises the poem on the page
the effect the poet wants to create on the reader
Q4.
The purpose for writing a text is known as the writer's .
Correct Answer: intentions, intention, intent
Q5.
If you 'sacrifice' something this means...
Correct answer: giving up something valuable or important
providing care, support, and encouragement
cherishing something valuable or important
Q6.
Where do you often find the 'resolution' of a poem or a story?
at the beginning
in the middle
Correct answer: at the end

Exit quiz

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6 Questions

Q1.
Match the keywords with their definitions.
Correct Answer:resolution,the point in a narrative where the conflict is stopped
tick

the point in a narrative where the conflict is stopped

Correct Answer:sacrifice,giving up something valuable or important for the sake of others
tick

giving up something valuable or important for the sake of others

Correct Answer:nurturing,providing care, support, and encouragement to promote growth
tick

providing care, support, and encouragement to promote growth

Correct Answer:unconditional,absolute, not subject to any limitations or requirements
tick

absolute, not subject to any limitations or requirements

Q2.
In 'Walking Away' Day-Lewis uses natural to convey how he feels his son is not yet ready to be independent.
Correct Answer: imagery
Q3.
What kind of rhyme scheme does 'Walking Away' use?
AABBC
ABABC
Correct answer: ABACA
Q4.
What comparative method does Day-Lewis use to show the initial pain he feels at the separation from his son in 'Walking Away'?
Correct Answer: simile
Q5.
How might we show deeper analysis in our work on poetry?
Correct answer: link to the writer’s intentions
include long detailed quotations
Correct answer: link to wider context where relevant
Q6.
What do you think Day-Lewis' intentions were in writing 'Walking Away'?
to highlight the joys of parenthood
Correct answer: to highlight the complexities of parenthood
to highlight the terror of parenthood