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Year 11
Edexcel

Understanding the poem 'Catrin' by Gillian Clarke

I can explain how Clarke presents internal parental conflict in her poem.

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New
New
Year 11
Edexcel

Understanding the poem 'Catrin' by Gillian Clarke

I can explain how Clarke presents internal parental conflict in her poem.

Download all resources
Share activities with pupils

Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. 'Catrin' is a personal poem reflecting Clarke's own relationship with her daughter.
  2. 'Catrin' reflects the internal conflict parents face as their children grow.
  3. Clear comparisons can be made to 'Poppies' as both poems focus on parental conflicts.
  4. Whilst 'Catrin' focuses on one conflict between parent and child, the message is a timeless one.

Common misconception

This poem is entirely autobiographical, written about Clarke's experiences of motherhood.

This poem was written just after the birth of Clarke's fist daughter so does reflect on her experiences of motherhood but the later scenes of a older child playing out are necessarily fictional.

Keywords

  • Parental - related to or characteristic of a parent or parenthood

  • Prevalent - widespread or commonly occurring within a particular area or at a particular time

  • Incubator - a medical device that provides a controlled environment to support the growth of (often) premature or ill babies

  • Inner conflict - psychological struggle within a person, often involving contradictory emotions or desires

  • Interpersonal conflict - disagreement or clash between individuals due to differing opinions, needs, or interests

In the first leaning cycle, consider printing out the images used to create the storyboard and have students arrange them on A3 paper so they can full annotate the structure of the poem as you discuss it together.
Teacher tip

Equipment

You need access to a copy of ‘Catrin’ by Gillian Clarke for this lesson. You can find this in the Edexcel Poetry Anthology (we will be using the ‘Conflict’ cluster).

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

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6 Questions

Q1.
What does the word 'maternal' mean?
related to or characteristic of relationships between fathers and their children
Correct answer: related to or characteristic of relationships between mothers and their children
related to or characteristic of relationships between siblings
related to or characteristic of relationships between children and adults
Q2.
Jane Weir's poem 'Poppies' is about...
a soldier writing home to his mother while at war.
a sister wondering if her brother has survived his time at war.
Correct answer: a mother's grief as her son leaves for war.
someone who lost their father to a miliatry conflict.
Q3.
Which of these emotions would you associate with Jane Weir's poem, 'Poppies'?
Correct answer: grief
joy
Correct answer: worry
jealousy
Correct answer: nostalgia
Q4.
What is symbolism?
comparing someone to an object to emphasise aspects of their character
giving objects human attributes
using the five senses to create a vivid description
Correct answer: using concrete objects or action represent abstract ideas or emotions
Q5.
What is imagery?
writing that is inspired by an image of piece of artwork
Correct answer: descriptive language that appeals to the senses, creating vivid mental pictures
writing creatively, using your imagination
Q6.
Why is it useful to analyse the structure of a poem?
it's easier than analysing the language
Correct answer: the order and progression of ideas can shape our interpretation of it
you don't have to use as many quotations
it makes it easier to compare two poems

Exit quiz

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6 Questions

Q1.
What does the word 'parental' mean?
related to the relationship between a mother and child
related to the relationship between a father and child
related to the relationship between a grandparent and child
Correct answer: related to the relationship between a parent and child
Q2.
Match each type of conflict to the correct definition.
Correct Answer:inner conflict,conflict within someone's mind

conflict within someone's mind

Correct Answer:interpersonal ,conflict with at least one other person

conflict with at least one other person

Correct Answer:external conflict,conflict caused by outside circumstances

conflict caused by outside circumstances

Q3.
What could the "rope" symbolise in Clake's 'Catrin'?
Correct answer: the umbilical cord
the mother's patience
the child's admiration for their mother
Correct answer: the love between a mother and child
Q4.
Clarke wrote 'Catrin' just after...
her eldest daughter left home for university.
Correct answer: her first daughter was born.
her daughter left to fight in a war.
her daughter's fifth birthday.
Q5.
Which of these anthology poems is best to compare to 'Catrin'?
'The Man He Killed'
'Exposure'
Correct answer: 'Poppies'
'Half-caste'
Q6.
Which of the following is an accurate comparison of 'Catrin' and 'Poppies'?
Both poems focus on different types of parental relationships.
Correct answer: Both poems are written from the persepctive of a mother.
Both poems are explore emotional trauma linked to war.
Both poems explore themes of injustice.