Analysing the poem ‘The Man He Killed’ by Thomas Hardy
I can explain how Hardy uses language, form and structure to convey the speaker’s attitude to war.
Analysing the poem ‘The Man He Killed’ by Thomas Hardy
I can explain how Hardy uses language, form and structure to convey the speaker’s attitude to war.
These resources will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.
Lesson details
Key learning points
- The poem takes the form of a dramatic monologue.
- Regular meter creates an informal tone as the speaker explains his actions.
- The equal stanzas could represent the commonality of experiences of war.
- Repetition and mirrored language illustrate a connection between the speaker and the man he killed.
- Hardy uses informal language to characterise the speaker as a regular and relatable person.
Keywords
Colloquialism - informal words, phrases, or expressions characteristic of everyday conversation
Slang - informal language consisting of unconventional words/phrases specific to certain groups or cultures
Interjections - words or phrases used to express emotion, surprise, or emphasis, often inserted into a sentence
Dramatic monologue - a poetic form in which a single character speaks, revealing their thoughts, feelings, and motivations
Commonality - shared features, traits, or characteristics among individuals, groups, or things
Common misconception
The 'enemy' soldier was a similar person to the speaker - he did a similar job and was of a similar social status.
We only learn about the 'enemy' soldier through the speaker's perspective. In stanza 4, the speaker infers what the man's life was like and, in turn, reveals a lot about his life and motivations for joining the army.
To help you plan your year 10 english lesson on: Analysing the poem ‘The Man He Killed’ by Thomas Hardy, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your year 10 english lesson on: Analysing the poem ‘The Man He Killed’ by Thomas Hardy, 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.
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The assessment exit quiz will test your pupils' understanding of the key learning points.
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Explore more key stage 4 english lessons from the 'Conflict' unit, dive into the full secondary english curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.
Equipment
You need access to a copy of ‘The Man He Killed’ by Thomas Hardy. This can be found in the Edexcel Poetry Anthology (we will be using the ‘Conflict’ cluster).
Content guidance
- Depiction or discussion of violence or suffering
Supervision
Adult supervision recommended
Licence
Lesson video
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Starter quiz
6 Questions
the words and phrases chosen by the poet to convey meaning and emotion
the arrangement of a poem, including rhyme scheme and poem type
the organisation and sequencing of ideas, imagery, and narrative
Exit quiz
6 Questions
unconventional words/phrases specific to certain groups or cultures
words, phrases, or expressions characteristic of everyday conversation
words/phrases inserted into a sentence to express emotion or surprise
sentence or utterance used to convey strong, intense emotions
"We should have sat us down to wet / Right many a nipperkin"
"He thought he'd 'list"
"Because he was my foe, / Just so: my foe of course he was"
"Yes; quaint and curious war is!"