Understanding the poem ‘Letters from Yorkshire’ by Maura Dooley
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can explain how Maura Dooley presents the multifaceted effects of a long distance relationship.
Key learning points
- The speaker is enriched and comforted by her long-distance correspondence with a friend.
- Although their relationship is distanced, the speaker treasures it and looks forward to the man's letters.
- Dooley spent time living in the countryside so this could be a reflection of her longing to return to a natural setting.
- Dooley seems to depict an ambiguous relationship which could be platonic, romantic or familial.
- The speaker's admiration for her friend/relative causes her to question her own life choices.
Keywords
Sentimental - emotional attachment or value often associated with memories.
Ambiguous - having an unclear meaning or one that has multiple interpretations.
Platonic - intimate friendship devoid of romantic or sexual involvement.
Moral value - beliefs governing right and wrong conduct, guiding ethical decisions and actions.
Kindred - sharing similar qualities, interests, or origins.
Common misconception
The poem is about a long-distance romantic relationship.
The relationship between the speaker and the man who sends her letters is ambiguous; it could be platonic, romantic or familial.
Teacher tip
For the final task, display a range of different key ideas/interpretations from the poem on A3 paper and encourage students to go around the room, annotating each key idea with supporting evidence, context or a justification. Students can also respond to answers from their peers.
Equipment
You will need access to the poem 'Letters from Yorkshire' by Maura Dooley. This can be found in the AQA Love and Relationships Poetry Anthology.
Licence
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.What does the word 'nostalgia' mean?
Q2.If the meaning of something is uncertain and it is open to multiple interpretations, we could describe it as...
Q3.Words such as 'perhaps', 'possibly', 'may', 'suggests', that offer a response rather than stating it as a concrete fact are examples of __________ language.
Q4.Match up each of these words to the correct meaning.
relating to countryside areas, villages or farming communities
relating to cities or densely populated areas; modern and diverse
channels of communication, such as newspapers, TV, and the internet
relating to farming or cultivation of crops/livestock for food
embodying purity, goodness, and moral integrity
deep longing or intense desire for something
Q5.What is symbolism?
Q6.Analysis should be led by __________ and supported by evidence from the text.
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.What is 'moral value'?
Q2.Match each relationship type to the correct definition.
intimate friendship without romantic or sexual involvement
often involving passion, intimacy, and emotional connection
characterised by blood ties, kinship, or close emotional bonds
Q3.How does line 5 from 'Letters from Yorkshire' imply that the speaker may have unrequited romantic feelings for the man from Yorkshire?
Q4.Which of these key ideas would you not associate with 'Letters from Yorkshire'?
Q5.Many have argued that 'Letters from Yorkshire' is about platonic friends whereas others have argued there is a familial connection, suggesting that Dooley based the male character on her...
Q6.In 'Letters from Yorkshire' Dooley seems to depict an ambiguous relationship which could be __________, romantic or familial.
To help you plan your 10 English lesson on: Understanding the poem ‘Letters from Yorkshire’ by Maura Dooley, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 10 English lesson on: Understanding the poem ‘Letters from Yorkshire’ by Maura Dooley, 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 'Love and Relationships' unit, dive into the full secondary English curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.