Analysing 'Winter Swans' by Owen Sheers
I can explore how Sheers uses nature to symbolise the couple's relationship.
Analysing 'Winter Swans' by Owen Sheers
I can explore how Sheers uses nature to symbolise the couple's relationship.
Lesson details
Key learning points
- Sheers uses personification of the surroundings to present a fractured emotional landscape.
- Sheers uses pathetic fallacy to subtly imply that the couple are facing trouble in their relationship.
- Sheers uses a contrast in colour imagery to signify the hope that emerges from despair.
- Sheers uses a simile in the resolution of the poem to convey how the couple are reunified.
- Sheers uses the symbolism of the swans to mark a turning point in the tone of the poem - from despair to hope.
Common misconception
Sheers tells us that the couple have been arguing before heading out for their walk.
Sheers doesn't explicitly tell us that the couple have been arguing but subtly implies this using personification and pathetic fallacy in the first two stanzas. He describes how the couple are "silent and apart" to show their fragmented relationship.
Keywords
Personification - giving human traits to non-human entities
Symbolism - representing abstract ideas using concrete objects or actions
Contrast - differences between two or more things used to draw attention to them
Simile - using ‘like’ or ‘as’ to compare two things with shared qualities
Resolution - the conclusion or final outcome of a story or conflict
Equipment
You will need access to the poem 'Winter Swans' by Owen Sheers. This can be found in the AQA Love and Relationships Poetry Anthology.
Content guidance
- 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).
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Starter quiz
6 Questions
Exit quiz
6 Questions
giving human traits to non-human entities
representing abstract ideas using concrete objects or actions
differences between two or more things used to draw attention to them
using ‘like’ or ‘as’ to compare two things with shared qualities
the conclusion or final outcome of a story or conflict